Curriculum
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The Otolaryngology Residency includes five years of training in all aspects of otolaryngology - head and neck surgery.
Clinical training
PGY-1
As an Otolaryngology resident, you are required to complete six months on the otolaryngology - head and neck surgery service during the intern year. The remainder of the intern year is one-month-long rotations on relevant services including neurosurgery, general surgery, plastic surgery, trauma surgery, critical care, and anesthesia.
PGY-2
During the second year, you are assigned to subspecialty services including rhinology, laryngology, head and neck surgery, and pediatric otolaryngology. You will receive comprehensive training in otolaryngologic diagnostic procedures, perform most minor surgical procedures, and are given graduated responsibility to assist with or perform major operations with faculty supervision. You will be given the opportunity to develop and refine clinical skills in medical history evaluation and head and neck examinations.
You will also spend three months on a focused pediatric otolaryngology rotation at Phoenix Children's Hospital during the second year. Hands-on instruction in speech therapy is offered during the laryngology rotation.
PGY-3
During the PGY-3 year, you will demonstrate preoperative, operative, and postoperative care of patients with common otolaryngologic diagnoses. Rotations are completed on pediatric otolaryngology, maxillofacial trauma, and neurotology.
It is expected that you perform complete histories and head and neck examinations on the patients seen in the clinic and order appropriate diagnostic tests. As you progress through the rotations, you are increasingly responsible for the preoperative evaluation, preparation, and postoperative follow-up of patients. Once demonstrating reasonable familiarity with various surgical techniques, you progress to performing more-complex portions of the operations.
During the PGY-3 year, you are required to spend three months participating in a research project or quality improvement project of some significance aimed at publication and presentation at national or international meetings.
PGY-4
You continue to gain knowledge regarding the broad spectrum of otolaryngologic disease processes, with the aim of increasing autonomy. Senior-level rotations are completed on laryngology, neurotology, rhinology, and endoscopic skull base surgery, head and neck surgery, and plastic and reconstructive surgery.
PGY-5
The chief resident year focuses on all aspects of otolaryngology - head and neck surgery. As chief resident, you are responsible for all activities on the hospital service under the supervision of faculty. Responsibility for patient care, teaching, and administration requires the chief resident to develop judgment and the ability to work with fellow residents as well as staff.
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The small program size, mentorship model, and one major hospital practice site helps create a cohesive group between the residents and attendings.
Jeff Mecham, M.D.
Otolaryngology resident
Call frequency
While on the otolaryngology rotation, call is from home and averages one in five nights. All other call schedules follow that rotation's call schedule. Mayo Clinic follows the recommendations of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
Moonlighting
Moonlighting is not permitted during the Otolaryngology Residency.
Didactic training
Clinical conferences, seminars, small discussion groups, journal clubs, and one-on-one instruction are integral parts of the Otolaryngology Residency.
A rotating schedule of didactic sessions is presented at once monthly education days. This core curriculum covers a variety of adult and pediatric topics:
- Head and neck surgery
- Laryngology
- Neurotology and audiology
- Pediatric otolaryngology
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Rhinology and allergy
- Sleep surgery
These didactic presentations are made primarily by staff consultants together with colleagues from pathology, endocrinology, allergy, radiology, and pertinent basic science fields.
You participate in a weekly clinical conference dealing with diagnostic problems, morbidity and mortality cases, and pathology. As a PGY-1 resident, you are welcome to attend this conference as your schedule permits. Attendance is required during PGY-2 through PGY-5.
Conferences
Weekly conferences
- Head and neck tumor board (including pathology)
Monthly conferences
- Didactic education day
- Morbidity and mortality
- Head and neck pathology
- Head and neck radiology
- Laryngology rounds
Dissection courses
- Temporal bone anatomy and surgery
- Head and neck anatomy/reconstruction
- Endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery
- Maxillofacial trauma
Research training
You are encouraged to publish manuscripts in prominent otolaryngology journals. You are also encouraged to present your clinical and basic science work at regional, national, and international meetings.
Teaching opportunities
Opportunities are available to teach rotating residents, medical students, and allied health professionals.
Evaluation
To ensure that you acquire adequate knowledge and develop the appropriate technical skills to meet program expectations, your performance is monitored carefully throughout the program. Formal evaluations are completed by supervising faculty members on a regular basis and reviewed with the program director. In addition, you will regularly evaluate the faculty to confirm that your educational needs are being met.