The first clinical otolaryngology year (PGY-2) focuses on developing clinical skills, such as taking patient histories and performing thorough head and neck examinations. The second-year resident (PGY-3) spends nine months examining various services at the Medical University Hospital and two months at the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) otolaryngology service. During each rotation and at all PGY levels, residents help staff by attending clinics when they are not in the Operating Room. In addition to serving as first assistant on more complex cases such as head and neck cancer resections, the PGY-2 gains proficiency at basic otolaryngological surgical techniques such as endoscopy of the upper aerodigestive tract, myringotomy and tube placement, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, basic rhinologic procedures, and tracheostomy. In addition, PGY-2 residents complete a one-month rotation in audiology, speech pathology and allergy. Call responsibilities for PGY-2 residents are every fifth night as the junior resident on call. PGY-2 residents are also responsible for taking the majority of daytime inpatient and Emergency Department consults. Experience in the management of facial trauma is gained during the four months of the year in which the otolaryngology service covers call for Facial Trauma.
The second clinical Otolaryngology year (PGY-3) builds on the principles developed during the PGY-2 year. The PGY-3 spends six months examining Medical University Hospital services, three months at the VAMC, and three months on a research block. Operative experiences become more complex as the PGY-3 resident participates actively in oncologic cases, rhinology and sinus surgery, uncomplicated otologic procedures, facial plastic and reconstructive cases, and thyroid and major salivary gland cases. A greater role is played in the operative management of facial trauma, and call responsibilities remain every fifth night as the junior resident on call. The third clinical Otolaryngology year (PGY-4) continues the theme of graduated responsibility as PGY-4 residents serve as chiefs of their respective services. They spend six months as chief of the VAMC otolaryngology service and six months as chief of various Medical University Hospital services. PGY-4 residents serve as the resident surgeon on the majority of cases in which they are involved, including the entire spectrum of surgical Otolaryngology, including otologic surgery, nasal and sinus surgery, plastic and reconstructive procedures, thyroid and salivary gland surgery, head and neck cancer resection and reconstruction, and facial trauma repair. PGY-4 residents take senior level call every fourth night. The chief resident year (PGY-5) is one in which the resident refines his or her skills in preparation for certification in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery. Chief residents spend four months on each of the three Medical University Hospital services. In addition to serving as resident surgeon or supervisor on all of the above-mentioned procedures, the chief resident plays an active role in the most complex cases, including skull base surgery, CSF leak repair and neurologic cases. In addition, the chief residents have a number of administrative responsibilities in planning the educational and lecture curriculum, making the call schedules, and overseeing the daily function of various services. Chief residents take senior level call every fourth night. |
