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AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY–HEAD AND NECK SURGERY

Looking Forward

LOOKING FORWARD

Last year, Andrew J. Tompkins, MD, MBA, the Workforce and Socioeconomic Survey Task Force Chair, described a mechanism that the Task Force would employ that ensured that key data points and demographic question modules would be repeated over time as a comparative marker to demonstrate change over time. This approach also focused on maintaining the ability to adjust or add modules based on changing needs or areas that would benefit from a deeper dive to improve understanding of the transition occurring in the workforce and/or practice patterns. This year's survey presented a more comprehensive look in the resident-in-training modules as well as focused on pediatric otolaryngology. The resultant data in these areas helped to clarify past trends and should be valuable in predicting the future landscape in these areas and create an opportunity for adjustments in areas that are not beneficial to the patients, physicians, and healthcare delivery system as a whole. Future surveys will select different areas of focus while maintaining baseline demographics as well as look at opportunities for modifications that will enhance the value of the data obtained. The Pediatric Otolaryngology subspecialty focus was motivated by ASPO leadership, specifically Drs. Reza Rahbar and Margo McKenna. This project was enabled through collegial data sharing and generous training data from all the training programs. We thank

all of them for their leadership and hope this can be used to identify opportunities to optimize pediatric otolaryngology care. Additionally, we hope this motivates other societies to partner with the AAO-HNS in future efforts. The Task Force will look at the potential value of linking future surveys to activities that both residents-in training and practicing otolaryngologists participate in such as the Otolaryngology Core Curriculum and the Maintenance of Certification program directed by the American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. The time it takes to complete the surveys should not have a significant burden to either of these programs while delivering a huge benefit to strategic planning for the specialty. On behalf of all otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons, I would like to thank the Task Force for taking on this critical project that requires much more time than you would think to get it right by properly analyzing the results and identifying the additional areas of focus and need based on the ever-changing landscape in healthcare.

James C. Denneny III, MD Executive Vice President and CEO, AAO-HNS

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THE 2023 OTOLARYNGOLOGY WORKFORCE