Babak Givi, MD1; Michael G. Moore, MD2; Arnaud F. Bewley, MD3; Charles S. Coffey, MD4; Marc A. Cohen, MD, MPH5; Amy C. Hessel, MD6; Scharukh Jalisi, MD7; Steven Kang, MD8; Jason G. Newman, MD9; Liana Puscas, MD, MHS10; Maisie Shindo, MD11; Andrew Shuman, MD12; Punam Thakkar, MD13; Donald T. Weed, MD14; Ara Chalian, MD9
1. Department of Otolaryngology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY
2. Department of Otolaryngology, Indiana University, Indianapolis
3. Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, Davis, CA
4. Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, University of California, San Diego, CA
5. Head & Neck Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
6. Head & Neck Surgery Department, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
7. Department of Otolaryngology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
8. Department of Otolaryngology, Ohio State University, Columbus
9. Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
10. Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC
11. Department of Otolaryngology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
12. Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
13. Division of Otolaryngology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
14. Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami, FL
Corresponding Author:
Babak Givi, MD
NYU Langone Health
160 E 34th St. 7th Fl
New York, NY 10016
T: 212 731 6655
Babak.Givi@nyulangone.org
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted medical training. Here we assess its effect on head and neck surgical education.
Methods: Surveys were sent to current accredited program directors and trainees to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the fellow’s experience and employment search. Current fellows’ operative logs were compared with those of the 2018-2019 graduates.
Results: Despite reduction in operative volume, 82% of current AHNS fellows have reached the number of major surgical operations to support certification. When surveyed, 86% of program directors deemed their fellow ready to enter practice. The majority of fellows felt prepared to practice ablative (96%), and microvascular surgery (73%), and 57% have secured employment to follow graduation. Five (10%) had a pending job position put on hold due to the pandemic.
Conclusions: Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, current accredited trainees remain well positioned to obtain proficiency and enter the work-force.