Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jul 2018
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialUpper Airway Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: 5-Year Outcomes.
Objective To present 5-year outcomes from a prospective cohort of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who were treated with upper airway stimulation (UAS) via a unilateral hypoglossal nerve implant. Study Design A multicenter prospective cohort study. Setting Industry-supported multicenter academic and clinical trial. ⋯ Conclusions Improvements in sleepiness, quality of life, and respiratory outcomes are observed with 5 years of UAS. Serious adverse events are uncommon. UAS is a nonanatomic surgical treatment with long-term benefit for individuals with moderate to severe OSA who have failed nasal continuous positive airway pressure.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jul 2018
A Multidisciplinary Approach to a Pediatric Difficult Airway Simulation Course.
Objective To design and assess an advanced pediatric airway management course, through simulation-based team training and with multiple disciplines, to emphasize communication and cooperation across subspecialties and to provide a common skill set and knowledge base. Methods Trainees from anesthesiology, emergency medicine, critical care, pediatric surgery, and otolaryngology at a tertiary children's hospital participated in a 1-day workshop emphasizing airway skills and complex airway simulations. Small groups were multidisciplinary to promote teamwork. ⋯ Future study is required to better understand the impact of this course on patient care outcomes. Implications for Practice Implementation of a pediatric difficult airway course through simulation-based team training is feasible and preferred by learners among multiple disciplines. A multidisciplinary approach exposes previously unrecognized knowledge gaps and allows for better communication and collaboration among the fields.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jun 2018
Two Novel Approaches to Improve Otolaryngology Resident Wellness: The ACGME Back to Bedside Initiative.
Rates of burnout, mental illness, and suicide are disproportionately elevated among physicians, and surgical specialists, including otolaryngologists, are at even higher risk for professional burnout. These trends have been identified at both the trainee and attending level. ⋯ Two funded Back to Bedside proposals involve otolaryngology training programs. Herein, we discuss these 2 approaches in an effort to foster additional novel resident wellness initiatives and awareness thereof across our subspecialty.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jun 2018
Faculty Wellness: Educator Burnout among Otolaryngology Graduate Medical Educators.
Objectives Burnout is a well-described psychological construct with 3 aspects: exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment. The objective of this study was to assess whether faculty members of an otolaryngology residency program exhibit measurable signs and symptoms of burnout with respect to their roles as medical educators. Study Design Cross-sectional survey. ⋯ Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first application of the MBI-ES to investigate burnout among otolaryngology faculty members as related to their role as medical educators. Discovering symptoms of burnout at an early stage affords a unique and valuable opportunity to intervene. Future investigation is underway into potential causes and solutions.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jun 2018
Diversity in Otolaryngology Residency Programs: A Survey of Otolaryngology Program Directors.
Objective As the population of the United States becomes increasingly racially and ethnically diverse, it is important that the medical profession reflect these changes. Otolaryngology has previously been identified as one of the surgical subspecialties with the smallest presence of those underrepresented in medicine. In the context of this study, the term underrepresented in medicine is defined as blacks, Latinos, Native American, and Native Hawaiians. ⋯ There was a statistically significant association between the number of underrepresented in medicine faculty and the number of underrepresented in medicine residents matriculated ( P = .02). Conclusion The authors stress the importance of underrepresented in medicine faculty mentorship. Although not statistically significant in this study, increasing the number of underrepresented in medicine applicants interviewed, as well as recommending outreach programs, may help to improve underrepresented minority matriculation into residency programs as demonstrated in the literature.