Introduction

The Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery constructed this pathway to assist students who are considering a career within the surgical specialty of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. The goals of the pathway are preparation of the student to proceed with further training within the specialty while obtaining a broad educational experience during the fourth year. The pathway provides a set of curriculum recommendations and a faculty advisory system designed to offer structure to the fourth year while maintaining flexibility for the individual needs, strengths and interests of students. The clinical experience within the pathway builds upon the sound platform of clinical skills and didactics presented in the previous medical school years to offer a challenging, productive and rewarding educational experience.

Return to top of page

Sites and Personnel

Pathway Director:
Robert Sataloff, M.D., D.M.A., F.A.C.S.
Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
219 North Broad Street, 10th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 762-5165 Phone
(215) 545-3374 Fax
e-mail: RTSataloff@PhillyENT.com

Debbie Westergon - Administrative Contact
(215) 762-5165 Phone
e-mail: office@PhillyENT.com

Email is the preferred method of contact.

Return to top of page

Description of Pathway

School-wide Requirements

Required Courses

Emergency Medicine Subinternship
Emergency Medicine Subinternship is required by the University as a senior year course. During this course we would expect that the student will learn the principles of rapid assessment and stabilization of critically ill and injured patients; learn the initial evaluation and management of the wide range of undifferentiated patient complaints in the Emergency Department; gain skills, specialized examination technique and real-time interpretation of diagnostic studies; participate in common and more advanced procedures.

Required Subinternship Objectives: Otolaryngology Pathway students must complete a Surgery Subinternship
By the end of the rotation learners will be able to:

1. Take ownership of their patients and be the primary point person regarding their care.
2. Demonstrate the ability to care for patients with increasing independence while seeking help when appropriate
3. Handle the daily tasks of an intern including preparing for rounds, presenting on rounds, interprofessional knowledge and communication skills, and patient interactions, histories and physicals, note writing of all varieties, and sign-out in a proficient and efficient manner.
4. Apply their knowledge towards diagnosis and management of common acute complaints and chronic conditions, creating care plans and communicating with consultants as necessary.
5. Perform general procedures through demonstration of the necessary preparation and key issues required for the performance of procedures, including understanding patient-specific factors, indications, contraindications, risks, benefits, and alternatives. 
6. Demonstrate reliable mechanical skills in performing procedures in most situations and knows when to seek help for procedures or situations beyond the learner’s abilities.
7. Perform safe transitions of care, coordination of care, and discharge planning.
   

Required Rotation in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
The student will be required to complete a four-week elective in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. As Otolaryngology is an early match, students will be encouraged to complete this elective early in the fourth year.

Strongly Recommended Elective - Surgical (Select One)
Students will select one four-week elective from a menu (See Menu A) of surgically-related areas. This elective may be taken at Home or at an Away site. These electives are designed to further prepare a student for a surgical residency and career while not excessively limiting the fourth-year experience to otolaryngology electives.

Menu A
· Anesthesia
· Dermatology
· Emergency Medicine
· General Surgery
· Neurosurgery
· Ophthalmology
· Plastic Surgery
· Surgical Pathology
· Surgical Trauma and Intensive Care

Strongly Recommended Elective - Non-Surgical (Select Two)
Students will select two non-surgical electives (See Menu B) from a broad menu of areas related to, but not exclusive to, the specialty of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. As Otolaryngology is intimately related with numerous other specialties, these electives provide the student with training in interdisciplinary communication and medical care. These electives may be taken at a Home or an Away site. Electives which are contained in both Menu A and Menu B may be applied toward either the surgical or non-surgical requirement, but not both.

Menu B
· Allergy and Immunology
· Anesthesia
· Dermatology
· Epidemiology
· Gastrointestinal Medicine
· Medical Genetics
· Medical Intensive Care
· Medical Oncology
· Neuroradiology
· Pathology
· Pediatrics
· Pulmonary Medicine
· Radiation Therapy and Oncology
· Radiology

Free Electives
The remaining three electives in the fourth-year will be free electives. These will be of the student's choosing: no defined Menu is presented. Such electives may be Home or Away and fulfill the previously described general requirements.

Students may use this time to arrange an Away elective in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in preparation for residency matching. Such an elective will not be mandatory for all students in the Pathway, but it may be encouraged highly for some students depending on individual circumstances. A second away elective in Otolaryngology may be allowed with the free electives under extraordinary circumstances and will be otherwise discouraged. All Away electives within the specialty will be discussed thoroughky in advance with the Pathway Director and other pertinent advisors to maximize this experience.

Return to top of page

Textbooks and Learning Resources

The primary learning resource for the Otolaryngology elective will be the clinical experience as well as the personal interactions with the faculty, residents and staff within the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. This experience will be augmented with a suggested reading list and recommended readings directed at specific cases which the student encounters, as well as internet-based lectures, and weekly didactic conferences. Students are required to listen to twelve online core lectures. A written examination based on material in these lectures is given at the end of the rotation. Students will follow patients on the floors, make daily presentations and be included in the monthly Head and Neck Journal Club. Participation in research and publication will be encouraged.

Return to top of page

Evaluation

Evaluation of the Student
The student's performance in each rotation will be evaluated by supervising physicians, and residents when appropriate, using the standard Drexel University College of Medicine clinical evaluation form. Students not receiving a grade of satisfactory or higher will be counseled and provided with remediation.

Evaluation of 4th year Courses
Upon completion of each rotation, students are encouraged to complete the end-of-rotation evaluation form in DOCSS. Students have the opportunity to provide feedback on the rotation as well as on specific faculty (and residents) with whom they worked in DOCSS. All feedback is de-identified.

Evaluation of the Pathway
Students are encouraged to complete an end-of-year Pathway evaluation for the Pathway. The feedback from this evaluation will help in advising future students more effectively.

Other

Faculty Advisement
Faculty guidance and mentoring will occur longitudinally as students prepare for a career in Otolaryngology. Each student will work closely with the Pathway Director in structuring the specifics of his/her fourth year experience. Other faculty members within the Department also will be available to serve in an advisory capacity. An educational experience will be constructed which builds upon the student's strengths and addresses weaknesses as s/he prepare to enter the residency matching process. The pathway is intended as a dynamic resource for student education and will be keenly responsive to evaluation and feedback.

Return to top of page

The provisions of The Student Handbook of Drexel University College of Medicine are not to be regarded as a contract between any student and the College of Medicine. The College of Medicine may, at any time, change any provisions, curriculum requirements, teaching facilities, affiliated teaching sites and/or amenities, bylaws, rules, regulations and policies as may be necessary in the interest of the University, DUCOM, and its students.

Return to top of page

Revised 01/25/2024 -- Specific questions or comments about the content of this page may be directed to the Division of Clinical Education