Education Goals and Objectives

Overall Goal

The overall goal of the Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery training program is to identify, educate and equip physicians to treat with compassion, wisdom and expertise the needs of others through direct care, research, education and leadership. 

Patient Care

Goals

The Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery resident must be able to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health.

Objectives

  • Demonstrate competence in the pre-admission care, hospital care, operative care and follow-up care (including rehabilitation) of patients.
  • Demonstrate competence in the ability to gather essential and accurate information about their patients
  • Demonstrate competence in the ability to make informed decisions about diagnostic and therapeutic interventions based on patient information and preferences, up-to-date scientific evidence and clinical judgment.
  • Demonstrate competence in the ability to develop and carry out patient management plans.
  • Demonstrate competence in the ability to provide health care services aimed at preventing health problems or maintaining health.
  • Demonstrate competence in the diagnosis and management of adult and pediatric Otolaryngologic disorders.

Medical Knowledge

Goals

The Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery resident must gain medical knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological and social-behavioral sciences, as well as apply this knowledge to patient care.

Objectives

  • Demonstrate expertise in the knowledge of those areas appropriate for an Otolaryngology-Head & Neck surgeon
  • Demonstrate investigatory and analytical thinking approach to clinical situations

Practice-based Learning and Improvement

Goals

The Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery resident must demonstrate the ability to investigate and evaluate his/her care of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery patients, to appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and to continuously improve patient care based on constant self-evaluation and life-long learning.

Objectives

  • Identify strengths, deficiencies and limits in one’s knowledge and expertise.
  • Set learning and improvement goals.
  • Identify and perform appropriate learning activities.
  • Systematically analyze practice using quality improvement methods, and implement changes with the goal of practice improvement.
  • Locate, appraise and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to their patients’ health problems.
  • Use information technology to optimize learning.
  • Participate in the education of patients, families, students, residents and other health professionals.
  • Apply knowledge of study designs and statistical methods to the appraisal of clinical studies and other information on diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Goals

The Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery resident must demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families and other health professionals.

Objectives

  • Communicate effectively with patients, families and the public, as appropriate, across a broad range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
  • Communicate effectively with physicians, other health professionals and health-related agencies.
  • Act in a consultative role to other physicians and health professionals.
  • Maintain comprehensive, timely and legible medical records.
  • Use effective listening skills and elicit and provide information using effective nonverbal, explanatory, questioning and writing skills, if applicable.

Professionalism

Goals

The Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery resident must demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and an adherence to ethical principles.

Objectives

  • Demonstrate respect, integrity and compassion for others.
  • Demonstrate responsiveness to patient needs that supersedes self interest.
  • Demonstrate accountability to patients, society and the profession.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to ethical principles pertaining to provision or withholding of clinical care, confidentiality of patient information, informed consent and business practices.
  • Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to a diverse patient population, including but not limited to diversity in culture, age, gender, disabilities and sexual orientation.
  • Demonstrate commitment to ethical principles pertaining to provision or withholding of clinical care, confidentiality of patient information, informed consent and business practice.

Systems-based Practice

Goals

The Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery resident must demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care, as well as the ability to call effectively on other resources in the system to provide optimal health care.

Objectives

  • Work effectively in various health care delivery settings and systems relevant to Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
  • Coordinate patient care within the health care system relevant to Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
  • Practice cost-effective health care and resource allocation that does not compromise quality of care.
  • Advocate for quality patient care and optimal patient-care systems.
  • Work in interprofessional teams to enhance patient safety and improve patient care quality.
  • Participate in identifying system errors and implementing potential system solutions.