Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement

Goal: Acquire the knowledge and skills to provide compassionate and effective care for patients with routine and complex cases in all aspects of Pediatric Otolaryngology (i.e. Airway, Head & Neck, Otology, and Rhinology).

Objectives:

1. Develop an efficient and thorough bedside assessment of patient and implement a prioritized management plan.
2. Synthesize the large amount of data into a concise and coherent presentation on rounds.
3. Demonstrate the ability to create organized, concise documentation.
4. Develop supervisory skills in mentoring affiliated medical students and residents.

Goal: Acquire a more in depth knowledge of the anatomical, physiological and genetic basis of Pediatric Otolaryngology disorders and the medical, surgical and systematic management thereof.

Objectives:

1. Actively participate in the core curriculum of the fellowship, including but not limited to the following:
   • Weekly Fellows Lecture Series
   • Weekly Airway Conferences
   • Monthly Fellows Journal Club
   • Monthly Mortality & Morbidity Conferences
   • Monthly Joint Conference
   • Research Conferences
   • Monthly Radiology Conferences
   • Monthly Otology Conferences
   • Monthly Head & Neck Conferences

Goal: Critically evaluate one’s own clinical practice and improve patient care by continuous self-evaluation, systematic evaluation of current scientific evidence and methods, and application of that knowledge to patient care.

Objectives:

1. Develop individualized learning plan with reassessment at regular intervals.
2. Continuously evaluate one’s own performance, be receptive to formative feedback and incorporate that feedback into improvement activities.
3. Review the medical literature, locate scientific studies that relate to patient conditions and apply that knowledge to improve the care of patients.
4. Effectively use technology to manage information for patient care and self-improvement.
5. Participate in didactic and bedside teaching of patients, families, students, housestaff, and other health professionals.

Goal: Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective communication and maintain professional interactions with patients, families, and colleagues.

Objectives:

1. Communicate with patients and families in a courteous, professional manner.
2. Demonstrate good listening skills and collaborate effectively with colleagues, consultants, and other members of the health care team.
3. Maintain a timely, accurate medical record.
4. Provide concise, accurate sign-outs to colleagues when transferring the care of patients.
5. Act in a consultative role for other physicians and clinicians in need of Pediatric Otolaryngology expertise in the care of their patients.

Goal: Demonstrate an obligation to carry out professional responsibilities and maintain a high degree of integrity.

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate respect, compassion, integrity, and honesty in all behaviors and actions.
2. Acknowledge errors and take appropriate corrective actions.
3. Conduct oneself in a manner that models responsible behavior.
4. Always consider the needs of the patients, families, and colleagues; remain sensitive and responsive to a diverse population of patients.
5. Respect patient autonomy and privacy.
6. Comply with departmental and hospital policies.

Goal: Demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the entire system of health care and utilize resources within that system to provide optimal patient care.

Objectives:

1. Access and utilize resources within the health care system to provide optimal patient care.
2. Effectively use systematic approaches to reduce errors and improve patient care.
3. Enthusiastically participate in developing and implementing improvements within both the departmental and hospital setting.
4. Demonstrate an awareness of cost-effectiveness and risk-benefit analyses in patient care when appropriate

Our goal is provide our fellows with an excellent foundation in all areas of pediatric otolaryngology from an educational, clinical, and research perspective. We feel it is essential for them to be familiar with the evaluation and management of both routine and complex cases in all aspects of our specialty.

Outlined below is a list of some of our complex/index conditions that we feel are important for our fellows to be exposed to during their training:

Congenital anomalies

• Branchial Cleft Anomalies
• Thyroglossal Duct Cysts
• Congenital Nasal Masses (i.e. Dermoids, Gliomas, Encephaloceles)
• Vascular Tumors & Malformations (i.e. Hemangiomas and Lymphatic Malformations)

Head and neck

• Salivary Gland Disorders and Neoplasms
• Thyroid Gland Disorders and Neoplasms
• Benign and Malignant Pediatric Cervicofacial Neoplasms (i.e. Rhabdomyosarcoma and other soft tissue sarcomas, Lymphomas and Neuroblastoma
• Skull Base Neoplasms including JNA

Airway

• Airway Endoscopy
• Esophagoscopy
• Aero-digestive Tract Foreign Body Removal
• Utilization of Laser
• Utilization of Balloon Dilatation
• Endoscopic Airway Procedures including Laryngeal Cleft Repair
• Open Airway Procedures including Laryngotracheal Reconstruction, Cricotracheal Reconstruction, Slide Tracheoplasty, and open Laryngeal Cleft Repair
• Tracheostomy

Otology

• Tympanoplasty
• Mastoidectomy
• Tympanomastoidectomy
• Ossicular Reconstruction
• Cochlear Implantation
• Osseointegrated Implantation

Rhinology

• Endoscopic Sinus Surgical Procedures
• Open Sinus Surgical Procedures
• Open and Combined Endoscopic Skull Base Procedures
• Utilization of Intraoperative Image Guidance  
• Repair of Choanal Atresia and other Congenital Nasal Anomalies

Facial plastics and trauma

• Closed and Open Reduction of Facial Fractures
• Management of Blunt and Open Cervicofacial Trauma
• Cleft lip and/or Palate Repair
• Pharyngoplasty/Pharyngeal Flap VPI Procedures
• Otoplasty