Training and competence perception differences in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery training program – an anonymous electronic national survey

Background: Otorhinolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery consists of different sub-specialties, each comprising unique characteristics and challenges. Herein, we investigate the use of a uniform national electronic questionnaire for curriculum planning. Main outcome measures: (1) Analyze the residents’ perception of the different sub-specialties training programs and their competence capabilities. (2) Identify sub-specialties requiring attention. (3) Investigate the characteristics associated with competence perception. Methods: This is a national cross sectional study. An anonymous electronic questionnaire was emailed to all registered Otorhinolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery residents. Results: 63.5% registered residents responded to the questionnaire. Two sub-specialties, Rhinology and Laryngology, are located in the extremities of the residents’ perceptions of competence and training (p < 0.0001), despite similar complexity perception (means 6.10 and 6.01, respectively). Rhinology is perceived as the most well-trained sub-specialty, both surgically and clinically (means 7.08 and 7.66, respectively), whereas Laryngology is bottom scaled (means 5.16 and 6.14, respectively). The same is true for perceived competence, surgical and clinical, in Rhinology (means 6.80 and 8.02, respectively) compared to Laryngology (means 5.04 and 6.75, respectively). Significant positive correlations were found between training, competence perception and workload (“golden training triangle”). Conclusions: Each ORL-HNS sub-specialty comprises different characteristics and a different learning curve, necessitating a tailored training program. Recognizing its sub-specialties distinctive features may assist in establishment of better-adapted learning curves in residency programs. Herein, we examine the use of anonymous electronic national survey. Laryngology, bottom ranked, is a prototype of a relatively new surgical discipline. Rhinology, ranked top by the residents, is an exemplar of a sub-specialty with an optimal ‘educational environment’. Moreover, we have established golden training triangle, implicating, highlights the essential role of institutional and senior staff for proper residency teaching. We demonstrate and advocate the benefit of using an anonymous electronic questionnaire.