Like many physicians, otolaryngologists at mid-career may experience some form of burnout and be looking to make a professional shift. Indeed, a study published in the Annals of Surgery last year found that otolaryngologists had high rates of career burnout that paralleled those of trauma and vascular surgeons.
The patient-centered medical home’s star appears to be rising. Thirty-eight states are testing this model of care in some way, according to the National Academy for State Health Policy. The federal health system reform law, passed this spring, includes several provisions encouraging the concept.
Once the province of neurosurgeons, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak repair is now handled mostly by otolaryngologists. This change has occurred over the past couple of decades, during which time the evolution of endoscopic tools and techniques has made possible extracranial rather than intracranial repair. The success rate for repairing these leaks from below has reached about 90 percent, particularly for small leaks.
September’s Poll Results
Dr. Sims has eloquently identified the value of diversity not only in otolaryngology, but also its contribution to the strength of the U.S. as a nation. Drs. Kuppersmith and Thomas have responded to his editorial indicating steps that the AAO-HNS has taken and is currently taking to increase diversity.
My Viewpoint was intended to call attention to a problem and inspire us to act with more alacrity.
We read with great interest Dr. Steven Sim’s recent op-ed, “More of the Same: Why isn’t otolaryngology becoming more diverse?” in ENT Today (Viewpoint, Sept. 2010).
Neil Chheda, MD, assistant professor of otolaryngology at the University of Florida in Gainesville, realized a few years ago that nearly half of his patients on proton pump inhibitors were taking them incorrectly.
The new duty hour regulation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) that limits first-year residents to 16-hour shifts has drawn a conflicted chorus of reactions from attendings, who have only seven months before the stipulation goes into effect.
Are surgical outcomes better for intraoral removal of proximal submandibular stones or traditional submandibular gland (SMG) resection? Background: Salivary stones, the most common cause of salivary ductal obstruction, usually occur in the SMG and its ductal system. About 40 percent are located distally in Wharton’s duct and can be easily removed through an intraoral procedure. Proximal […]
What are the long-term outcomes of patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) who are treated with injection laryngoplasty (IL)? Background: IL, a temporary intervention for UVFP, is often performed in patients with a potentially recoverable recurrent laryngeal nerve insult while they await spontaneous recovery, compensation or definitive intervention. The decision to treat UVFP is historically […]
What are the demographics, presentation, interventions and outcomes of acute supraglottitis in the era following widespread immunization against Haemophilus influenza type b? Background: The overall incidence of acute supraglottitis has decreased significantly since the introduction of the conjugated Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) vaccine in 1988 and its widespread use by 1995. While there has been a marked […]
Does vascularized bone reconstruction provide optimum reconstruction among patients with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ)? Background: Bisphosphonates, a commonly prescribed class of medications used in the treatment of multiple myeloma and metabolic and metastatic bone disease, decrease bone resorption via inhibition of enzyme activity within osteoclasts. Remaining in the bone for several years, bisphosphonates can […]
Does the presence of dysphagia in hospitalized patients result in prolonged hospital stay and increased morbidity? Background: Dysphagia is a symptom that may be an indication of swallowing dysfunction. Swallowing dysfunction can result in aspiration, dehydration, malnutrition, pneumonia, pulmonary abscess and death. The implication of swallowing dysfunction on a patient’s hospital stay is uncertain. The authors […]
Can a simple scoring system identify individuals at high risk of esophageal cancer?1 Background: The prevalence of esophageal cancer is rapidly expanding. The prognosis for late stage esophageal cancer is dismal, and survival depends on early diagnosis and treatment. Limitations in health care resources preclude screening all individuals with dysphagia. Study design: Retrospective cohort study Setting: University Hospital […]