Introduction
Welcome to your Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Rotation!
As a department, we take great pride in our specialty and look forward to providing you with an excellent learning opportunity and clinical experience. Medical students are exposed to the diagnosis and management of ear, nose, and throat problems through participation in outpatient clinics, inpatient rounds and operative procedures. During your rotation, you will have the opportunity to spend time with each provider either in clinic or in the operating room. Students are expected to adequately prepare for these activities through the medical literature, epic review, and learning experiences.
The overall goals of the elective are tailored to each student's career choice. We welcome interest in our specialty; however, we know many students have other career goals. This rotation is helpful for those interested in primary care field or in a specialty area involving the head and neck.
Rotation Objectives
- Gain exposure to the wide range of normal and abnormal conditions evaluated and treated by otolaryngologists in the clinic and operating room.
- Learn how to take a focused history from patients with otolaryngologic disorders.
- Master the skills necessary to perform the focused otolaryngology physical exam.
- Recognize ENT-specific conditions that are life-threatening from elective patient issues.
- Become familiar with the scope of practice of otolaryngology and the services this specialty can provide to you and your patients.
What is Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery?
Otolaryngology involves the medical and surgical management of patients with diseases and disorders of the ears, nose, throat, and the head and neck. Specialties that can be pursued after a general otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residency include:
- Neurotology
- Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Head and Neck Surgery
- Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Rhinology
- Laryngology
- Sleep Medicine
How can I get the most out of my rotation?
Please check schedules in advance on epic to confirm location of provider for the assigned day. Schedules can change with little notice. If a faculty member's clinic/OR has been canceled for the day, please contact Frankie at frankenia.guzman@umassmed.edu to schedule you with an available faculty member.
Clinic
- You will likely shadow attendings at first to get a sense of their clinic.
- Be polite and respectful to patients. Do not use your phone in the room.
- Dress Appropriately in business causal attire.
- Practice collecting a relevant history and presenting in a concise manner.
- Perform a basic head & neck exam. Learning the normal exam helps you identify pathology.
- Ask questions!
Operating Room
- Be on time and ready to learn!
- Introduce yourself to the attending, patient, and the OR staff.
- Know why we are performing the surgery. This should include diagnosis and relevant history.
- Know anatomy and pathophysiology for the operation. For example, in a thyroidectomy know the nerves, blood vessels, common indications, and post-operative concerns.
- Practice surgical skills. This includes tying knots and cutting suture. Practice at home so you make it look easy when it’s your time to shine!
- Ask questions!
Attached is the book “Primary Care Otolaryngology.” This book will help you to get an overview of our specialty. ENT secrets is also helpful for common questions in the operating room.
Here is a link to our current faculty so you know the specialty of the providers with whom you will be working. We have a team of very knowledgeable advanced practice providers who are also happy to teach.
https://www.umassmed.edu/otolaryngology/about-us/faculty/
In an effort to tailor the education to your interests, we ask that you prepare a short (5-10 minutes) presentation on an otolaryngology topic of your choice to be presented towards the end of your rotation. The best presentations are often inspired by an interesting case or patient.
We are looking forward to having you rotate with our department. We are happy to speak about our great specialty or research opportunities with any interested students.
Basic Information
- Otolaryngology Clinic is located on Level A near the B elevators in the university campus.
- Operating rooms are at University Campus, Memorial Campus, and Hahnemann. Make sure to check epic to confirm providers location.
- Attire in clinic is business casual. OR attire is hospital scrubs.
- Otolaryngology Office number 508-334-4161