Otolaryngology training during paediatric residency: A survey of paediatricians in Canada.

INTRODUCTION: There is a significant overlap between paediatrics and otolaryngology relating to clinical practice of the two specialties. A lack of cross-training has been identified in previous studies, but the specifics have not been established. The present study was directed at paediatricians in Canada, and examined the need for mandatory otolaryngology training during paediatric residency. METHODS: Surveys were mailed out to paediatricians in Canada who had completed residency within the past 20 years. Guidelines for the mailing procedure were regulated by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. A cover letter, survey form and return envelope were included in the package. Data were tabulated and described using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Six hundred sixty-six surveys were mailed; the response rate was 48%. Seventy-three per cent of paediatricians indicated that otolaryngology training should be mandatory during paediatric residency. Seventy-nine per cent of general paediatricians and 68% of subspecialists also believed that it should be mandatory training. Seventy per cent of paediatricians indicated that clinical experience was the best format for otolaryngology training, the other options being lectures or rotations. Postgraduate year 2 was the most preferred year for this training. For paediatricians who indicated mandatory training, 45% indicated that it could not replace something else, 38% said that it could replace another experience and the remainder were undecided. The respondents provided helpful commentary. INTERPRETATION: The majority of surveyed paediatricians in Canada believe that otolaryngology training should be mandatory during paediatric residency. There was also a general consensus relating to the format (clinical experience) and the duration (two to four weeks) of the training.

Deficiencies of cross-training between pediatrics and otolaryngology: a survey of specialists in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: Conditions relating to the ear, nose and throat are very frequent problems encountered by general pediatricians. Similarly, a major percentage of patients seen and operated on by the general otolaryngologist are of the pediatric age group. The pilot study demonstrated that pediatric program directors of both specialties in Canada have identified a deficiency of cross-training and desire the need for more cross-training. The aim of this study was to survey practicing physicians of both specialties for their input. METHODS: Surveys were sent to a large cross-section of pediatricians and otolaryngologists in Canada. They were asked to complete a questionnaire relating to their training experience, their desired training, important topics and general comments. Demographic data were collected including generalist versus sub-specialist, the year that residency was completed and country of training. Results were tabulated and analyzed. RESULTS: The response rate was high, being 70.6% and 76.2% for pediatricians and otolaryngologists, respectively. One hundred percent of pediatricians indicated that formal training by otolaryngologists was necessary, while 95% of otolaryngologists indicate a need for formal training by pediatricians during residency. Pediatricians desire more training using all three educational venues, namely lectures, clinics and rotations. While they are receiving lectures more often, they indicate that clinics are the most important mode of education. Otolaryngologists desire more formal training by pediatricians in the areas of lectures and clinics. They indicate the most important mode of education is lectures. There was no significant difference between generalists and sub-specialists or based on country of training for either group. There is some indication, in both specialties, of an increase of cross-training occurring within the past five years. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that there is a perceived deficiency of cross-training between the two specialties. Both pediatricians and otolaryngologists have indicated that they need more formal cross-training. This is a very important area to address, as this study relates directly to the optimum health of children in Canada and worldwide.

Deficiencies of cross-training between pediatrics and otolaryngology.

OBJECTIVE: Conditions relating to the ear, nose and throat are very frequent problems encountered by general pediatricians. Similarly, a major percentage of patients seen and operated on by the general otolaryngologist are of the pediatric age group. It is my hypothesis that there is a deficiency of cross-training between these two specialties. METHODS: All pediatric and otolaryngology program directors in Canada were contacted by mail. They were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the need for further cross-training, what training their residents are presently receiving, and clinical entities that needed more attention. RESULTS: Data were tabulated and analyzed. 62.5% of pediatric program directors and 83.3% of otolaryngology program directors responded. All pediatric program directors indicated a need for teaching by otolaryngologists for their residents and 90% identified an area of deficiency in training. Similarly, 90% of otolaryngology program directors indicated a need for teaching by pediatricians for their residents and 89% of those identified an area of deficiency in training. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that there is a deficiency in cross-training between pediatrics and otolaryngology.