Factors influencing the choice of practice location among Canadian otolaryngologists

AbstractObjectivesLittle is known about what shapes the choice of employment location in a competitive surgical specialty like otolaryngology – head and neck surgery. This study aimed to identify factors important in determining practice location among Canadian otolaryngologistsMethodsAn online survey was distributed nationally to active members of the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. The survey collected data on general demographics, current practice description, training location, factors deemed important in practice location decisions, and job satisfaction.ResultsA total of 122 survey responses were collected, with a similar proportion of participants in academic versus community practice. The majority of respondents (73 per cent) practised in the same province as their residency training. Participants identified job vacancy, colleague interaction, spouse opinion and hospital services as important in the decision of practice location.ConclusionKey determinants of practice location among Canadian otolaryngologists include job vacancies, spouse opinion, and colleague interactions. Overall, Canadian otolaryngologists report high satisfaction with current employment.

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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Head and Neck Surgery Training: A Brazilian National Survey

International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1730019 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ana Kober Leite ◽

Leandro Luongo Matos ◽

Claudio R. Cernea ◽

Luiz Paulo Kowalski

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck ◽

Surgical Training ◽

Online Survey ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Neck Surgery ◽

Head And Neck Surgery ◽

Educational Activities ◽

Residency Programs ◽

Surgery Training ◽

The Impact

Abstract Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has had a high impact on surgical training around the world due to required measures regarding the suspension of elective procedures and the dismissal of nonessential personnel. Objectives To understand the impact the pandemic had on head and neck surgery training in Brazil. Methods We conducted a 29-question online survey with head and neck surgery residents in Brazil, assessing the impact the pandemic had on their training. Results Forty-six residents responded to the survey, and 91.3% of them reported that their residency was affected by the pandemic, but most residents were not assigned to work directly with patients infected with the new coronavirus (71.4%). All residents reported decrease in clinic visits and in surgical procedures, mostly an important reduction of ∼ 75%. A total of 56.5% of the residents described that the pandemic has had a negative impact on their mental, health and only 4 (8.7%) do not have any symptoms of burnout. The majority (78.3%) of the residents reported that educational activities were successfully adapted to online platforms, and 37% were personally infected with the virus. Conclusion Most surgical residencies were greatly affected by the pandemic, and residents had an important decrease in surgical training. Educational activities were successfully adapted to online modalities, but the residency programs should search for ways of trying to compensate for the loss of practical activities.

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Online residency training during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national survey of otolaryngology head and neck surgery program directors

Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery ◽

10.1186/s40463-021-00546-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jade Chénard-Roy ◽

Matthieu J. Guitton ◽

François Thuot

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck ◽

Teaching And Learning ◽

Online Survey ◽

Neck Surgery ◽

Program Directors ◽

Head And Neck Surgery ◽

Distance Teaching ◽

Significant Drop ◽

Academic Activities ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply impacted healthcare and education systems, including resident education. The impact of the pandemic on the different types of pedagogical activities, and the displacement of pedagogical activities to online modalities have not yet been quantified. We sought to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on formal pedagogic components of otorhinolaryngology–head and neck surgery (ORL–HNS) residency, the switch to distance learning and program director’s perceptions of the future of teaching and learning. Methods A nationwide online survey was conducted on Canadian ORL–HNS program directors. The use of standard didactic activities in-person and online, before and during the pandemic was rated with Likert scales. Perceptions of the pandemic were described with open-ended questions. Results A total of 11 of the 13 program directors contacted responded. The analysis were conducted using nonparametric statistics. There was a significant drop in overall didactic activities during the pandemic, regardless of the teaching format (3.5 ± 0.2 to 3.1 ± 0.3, p < 0.05). The most affected activities were simulation and in-house lectures. Online activities increased dramatically (0.5 ± 0.2 to 5.0 ± 0.5, p < 0.001), including attendance to lectures made by other programs (0.5 ± 0.3 to 4.0 ± 0.8, p < 0.05). Respondents stated their intention to maintain the hybrid online and in-person teaching model. Conclusions These findings suggest that hybrid online and in-person teaching is likely to persist in the post-pandemic setting. A balanced residency curriculum requires diversity in academic activities. The pandemic can have positive consequences if higher education institutions work to better support distance teaching and learning. Graphical Abstract

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Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo in Community Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1177/0194599820902116 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 162 (3) ◽

pp. 283-289 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jeffrey M. Singh ◽

William D. Corser ◽

Edwin M. Monsell

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ◽

Neck Surgery ◽

Head And Neck Surgery ◽

Community Practice ◽

Positional Vertigo ◽

Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Objective Cardiovascular risk factors have been associated with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), possibly causing degeneration of the utricular epithelium and subepithelium, but supportive evidence is mixed. This is the first study to examine the association between cardiovascular risk factors and BPPV as they present in the community practice of comprehensive otolaryngology–head and neck surgery. Study Design Cross-sectional case-matched case-control series. Setting A community practice of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery with 3 clinical offices and a socioeconomically diverse patient population. Subjects and Methods Clinical data were collected retrospectively from the electronic health records of a continuous 4-year series of 628 patients with BPPV and age- and sex-matched controls. Results There were no statistically significant associations found between BPPV and diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or body mass index in the study population in pairwise comparisons or multivariable modeling. Conclusion This study suggests that BPPV as encountered in a community ear, nose, and throat practice is not generally associated with cardiovascular risk factors. The possibility that these or other cardiovascular risk factors may be causative in some cases cannot be excluded, though most cases of BPPV appear to be caused primarily by shedding of otoconia from the utricle that is idiopathic or at least in part by unconfirmed noncardiovascular factors.

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Why should disorders of the ear, nose and throat be treated by the same specialty? Can this situation persist?

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215108003769 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 123 (4) ◽

pp. 367-371 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S Yalamanchili

Keyword(s):

Nineteenth Century ◽

World War Ii ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Surgery ◽

Head And Neck Surgery ◽

General Surgeon ◽

World War ◽

Surgical Specialty ◽

Post War ◽

Nose And Throat

AbstractThe surgical specialty of otorhinolaryngology has its origins in the nineteenth century. Subsequently, the specialty also incorporated allied disciplines such as plastics and head and neck surgery. Following World War II, the survival of the specialty was threatened by the advent of antibiotics and the rise of the general surgeon. Despite this, the specialty of ENT was strengthened by strong post-war leadership and robust training.Today, with ENT knowledge ever increasing, the subspecialties have again begun to subdivide. Specialisation brings improved efficiency and outcomes; however, there remains a great need for the ENT generalist. Not all cases require subspecialist attention, and the generalist remains the basis of competent emergency cover. The natural development of otorhinolaryngology has brought the invaluable synergistic knowledge required to comprehensively treat disorders of the ear, nose and throat, knowledge that must not be overlooked when shaping the future of the specialty.

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