Legacy of Excellence Digital Flipbook

LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE

From its inception 100 years ago, the AAO-HNS has had an abiding commitment to educational programs. With the practice of medicine changing rapidly, it is essential that we have a clear, complete statement of the scope of knowledge contained within our specialty and that the content be carefully validated by practicing otolaryngologists. The scope of knowledge study will provide just such a description to serve as an anchor for future educational programs and certifications. It will also assist in better defining the interface between specialty practice and subspecialty practice.” – Charles J. Krause, MD, 1996-1997 President, January 1997 Bulletin

Workforce Study In 1998, a Physicians’Workforce Study was commissioned. The results of the study were shared with the membership in 2000. The workforce study was a blueprint for the specialty’s future providing invaluable information to otolaryngology-head and neck surgeons as they considered career decisions. 1. The diverse nature of an otolaryngologist’s expertise provided a broad base of service. 2. There was a clear, unique role for otolaryngologists that was not shared by other providers. 3. The current predicted workforce supply and demographics were at a satisfactory level, perhaps with a modest oversupply. 4. Women constituted 7% of all practicing otolaryngologist-head and heck surgeons. However, 21% of all residents were women. 5. Formal allergy training should be integrated into all residency programs. 6. Residents should be provided training in optimal utilization of the ambulatory setting. 7. The transformation of the otolaryngology practice from the operative suite to the office suite was likely to continue as changes in the reimbursement methods continued in favor of cognitive over procedural services. 8. Otolaryngologists should increase the emphasis on ambulatory flexible endoscopic training. What did the Otolaryngology Workforce Study find?

9. The two largest threats to the current service distribution in otolaryngology were technology advancements and infringement by alternative providers. 10.Otolaryngologists would continue to expand their own practice into fields not normally associated with the specialty, including sleep disorders and laser applications, nutritional manipulation, vaccinations, and other courses of treatment. 11. A gradual shift of services provided by the general otolaryngologist was expected in future years. EDUCATION Jonas T. Johnson, MD Coordinator for Education, 1995-2001 Scope of Knowledge Study In 1997, the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto) convened panels of experts to define the scope of knowledge required for certification in the specialty of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery and in four subspecialty areas: pediatrics, otology/neurotology, facial plastic, and head and neck. The panels were appointed jointly by the ABOto and the AAO-HNSF with the cooperation of appropriate subspecialty societies. The panels developed comprehensive preliminary documents that outlined the knowledge required for each area. These documents were converted to surveys which were sent to a random sample of otolaryngologists across the country to determine the relative importance of these knowledge areas for practicing specialists and subspecialists. The results were reviewed by the expert panels and integrated into the final scope of knowledge documents.

32