‘The Bad Old Days Are Gone’: Turf Battles Recede as Otolaryngologists and Allergy Leaders Communicate and Collaborate

“Bridge-building is key,” emphasized Dr. Marple. “It should start with meeting people, and having a dialogue.” Dr. Marple advises new otolaryngologists moving into communities to call the local allergists and set up meetings. “Allergists are often threatened by otolaryngologists who are going to practice allergy,” he conceded. “I think you just have to open up a dialogue. Realistically, there are many untreated patients with allergies. There are many university systems where otolaryngology and allergy colleagues work well together and cross-train each other’s residents. In the community, this [level of cooperation] will probably take a little bit of creativity.”

Learning from Each Other

Otolaryngologists and allergists now have an increased presence at their colleagues’ annual society and academy meetings, fostering more interdisciplinary communication. “One of the things that’s nice about the leadership of the organizations coming together is that it provides opportunities to invite individuals from one specialty to the professional meetings of the other society,” said Dr. Marple. “There are often general allergists at our Academy meeting, and there are often otolaryngologists who present at the College and AAAAI,” added Dr. Derebery, who presented a poster this year at the AAAAI and participated in a symposium at the College. “I think our discourse at professional meetings definitely enhances our familiarity and cooperation.”

Dr. Lanier voiced praise for the bridge-building efforts of ENT leaders. “They have been really open-minded and accommodating, and that’s been very helpful. We allergists are still interested in their surgical skill set. For example, Dr. Marple has better experience with some forms of sinusitis, and I depend on him tremendously. If I had the opportunity, I would love to be in the same building with otolaryngologists; there is so much that they can teach us.”

Dr. Krouse pointed out that the learning process is a two-way street. He explained that one of the AAOA’s current initiatives is to emphasize evidence-based practice. “Much of what our colleagues as ENT allergists did only a few years ago was much more based on anecdote and individual preference than on science. Our general allergy colleagues have been much more rooted in science over the last generation than we have. I think the fact that we have taken on the need to be evidence-based has put us on a more equal footing with our allergy colleagues. There is more good research in the otolaryngology literature regarding allergy than there was a decade ago.”