Allergy education in otolaryngology residency: a survey of program directors and residents

Sexual and Gender Minority Curriculum Within Otolaryngology Residency Programs

Purpose: Otolaryngologists are uniquely situated to provide sexual and gender minority (SGM) care, including gender-affirmation (voice/communication, facial surgery) and HIV/AIDS-related conditions. Yet, no research has characterized otolaryngology residency program directors' attitudes toward SGM-related curricula, nor opportunities for supporting training in SGM-related care. Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional e-mail survey was disseminated to 116 otolaryngology residency program directors in July-September 2019. Information collected included current/future curriculum in and attitudes toward SGM care, and program demographics. Data were categorical and analysis utilized chi-square test. Results: The 65 complete responses (56% rate) were nationally representative. Overall, 17% of programs include no SGM-related education. Subjective importance of SGM training ranged from not important at all (3%) to absolutely essential (11%), with mode of average importance (47%); this varied significantly by program geographic setting and population, and program size. The mean percentage of curriculum dedicated to SGM care was 1.0% for didactics and 0.7% for clinical. Curricula include HIV/AIDS-related conditions (58%), facial gender-affirming procedures (50%), culturally informed care (42%), changes with gender-affirming hormones (voice/communication: 48%, facial: 22%), and cancer in SGM patients (42%). Frequently reported barriers were insufficient experienced faculty (52%) and time (42%). Program directors deemed visiting expert lectures (66%), small-group discussion (39%), and online modules (27%) the best ways to incorporate SGM education. Conclusions: More than 80% of otolaryngology residency curricula in a representative national survey include SGM-related education, which represents a limited portion of total curriculum. These results highlight the opportunity for expert lectures and discussion-based and online tool development to facilitate standardized SGM education in otolaryngology residencies.

Allergy Practices in Otorhinolaryngology Residency Programs in Turkey: Quo Vadis?

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate how allergy practices in the otorhinolaryngology (ORL) residency departments in Turkey have changed over the last 20 years and to examine the current status in ORL residency training.

Methods:

A 17-item questionnaire was developed following the study goals by a team experienced in allergy practices. The questionnaire was sent via e-mail to the program directors of all the 95 ORL residency departments in Turkey.

Results:

A total of 60 (63.2%) program directors completed the questionnaire. We found that allergy testing and immunotherapy had been performed in 70% and 28.3%, respectively, at any time to date. The most common reason for discontinuing in allergy practices over time was “the changes introduced by the Turkish Social Security Institute as stated in the healthcare implementation communiqué” and “the difficulties in obtaining vaccine supplies from companies”. Of all departments, allergy testing, immunotherapy, nasal smear, and nasal provocation tests were performed only by 35%, 8.3%, 28.3%, and 1.7%, respectively.

Conclusion:

Allergy practices have been increasingly used, especially in the 2000s, but came to a standstill upon the changes introduced by the Turkish Social Security Institute as stated in the healthcare implementation communiqué. These findings suggest that allergy training, in the recent years, has remained in the background in ORL residency programs in Turkey. To achieve standardization in allergy training in ORL residency programs, professional associations and authorities should develop solutions in cooperation with legislators.

Financial Transactions from Manufacturers to Otolaryngologists in 2018

OBJECTIVE

To characterize in depth non-research and research payments from industry to otolaryngologists in 2018 with an emphasis on product types.

METHODS

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Open Payments program was used for data collection: payment amount, the nature of payments, products associated with the payments, date of the payments, and companies making the payments were studied. Products associated with the payments were classified by categorical type. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

There were 70,172 payments for a total of $11,001,875 made to otolaryngologists in 2018 with a median payment of $19. Food and beverage had the highest number of payments made (89.96%). Consulting fees (33.46%) composed the highest total payment amount. The two companies that contributed the highest amount were Stryker Corporation and Intersect ENT Inc. Sinus conditions had the most products within the top 25 products associated with payments. The top five products with the highest payments received were for balloon sinus dilation, nasal spray, sinus implant, Botox, and cochlear implant. There was a bimodal payment distribution demonstrating a higher number of payments made in the spring and fall.

CONCLUSION

Our study is the first to review payments to otolaryngologists in 2018 and classify these payments into product types. The products and companies that contributed the highest payments were associated with sinus conditions. The products that dominated in each subspecialty of otolaryngology coincide with clinical practice trends and emerging technologies.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E388-E394, 2021.

Contemporary analysis of otolaryngic allergy

OBJECTIVES

Investigate the current trends in otolaryngic allergy (OA).

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

METHODS

Survey of active AAOA membership.

RESULTS

Response rate was 27.3%. Regional response distribution rates were proportional to the AAOA membership distribution within the United States (R2 = 0.95; P < 0.001), with no significant regional response bias demonstrated (P = 0.428). Self-reported duration to OA competency was 5.8 years. Physicians reporting OA competency were more likely to be board-certified (P < 0.001) and have AAOA fellowship status (P < 0.001). The AAOA was reported to be the most valuable educational resource toward achieving OA competency, with residency training being least valuable (P < 0.001). 91.5% of respondents' practices offered OA services. Subcutaneous injections predominated at twice the utilization of sublingual immunotherapy. Allergy immunotherapy tablets were rarely utilized. Home allergy shots were offered by 45.2% of respondents. In-office immunotherapy vial compounding was preferred (95.8%) to third-party vendors. 94% of AAOA respondents identified patient compliance to be an issue within OA. Non-inhalant allergy service integration included food allergy (63.5%), asthma (44.9%), allergic fungal sinusitis (43.8%), penicillin allergy (18%), stinging insect allergy (12.6%), and aspirin desensitization (3.9%).

CONCLUSION

Reported duration to OA competency after residency was surprisingly long. Further investigation of current and future educational/clinical training is warranted given clinical integration reported for OA. Otolaryngology is in the unique position to develop a comprehensive sino-allergy evidence-based strategy integrating the extensive diagnostic and medical treatment arms alongside the surgical expertise of the specialty within a clinical sino-allergy home concept.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

5 Laryngoscope, 130:283-289, 2020.

Hereditary angioedema education in otolaryngology residencies: survey of program directors

BACKGROUND

The objective of this work was to assess resident education regarding contemporary management of hereditary angioedema using a web-based survey.

METHODS

An 11-item, multiple-choice, electronic questionnaire was sent to all 106 accredited otolaryngology training programs in November 2016. Questions focused on resident education, management principles, and formalized assessment.

RESULTS

A total of 34 program directors responded, representing 32% of otolaryngology residences. Ninety-seven percent believed otolaryngology residents should be knowledgeable in the management of hereditary angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE). Specifically, 38% and 26% of program directors felt their residents were comfortable and very comfortable in C1-INH-HAE management, respectively. Of those surveyed, 18% have educational simulation activities and a protocol in place for C1-INH-HAE management. Forty-seven percent of respondents felt their training program provided adequate education and exposure to C1-INH-HAE. Over the last 5 years, 45% felt residents were exposed to 1 to 5 cases of C1-INH-HAE. Sixty-seven percent of residents were trained in the management of C1-INH-HAE through in-person lectures. Seventy-one percent of programs had no formal assessment of resident competency in C1-INH-HAE management.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to offer insight into C1-INH-HAE education and management principles in otolaryngology training programs. Surveyed program directors believe residents need a strong knowledge base in the management of C1-INH-HAE but less than half feel their trainees acquire the necessary exposure to this emergent disease process. Future research efforts in this area should aim to determine optimal educational activities as well as how to best incorporate this into otolaryngology residency curricula.

Payer database and geospatial analysis to evaluate practice patterns in treating allergy in North Carolina

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to characterize the delivery of allergy care in North Carolina using a large payer charge database and visualization techniques.

STUDY DESIGN

Geospatial database analysis.

SETTING

North Carolina State claims database.

SUBJECTS & METHODS

Medical data from the 2013 FAIR Health National Private Insurance Claims (FH NPIC) database for North Carolina was mined for CPT codes and charges for allergy testing, and for the preparation and provision of allergen immunotherapy. Provider and patient variables were analyzed. Analyses were performed to compare differences in allergy care delivery. A visualization strategy complemented the analytic approach.

RESULTS

162,037 CPT charge entries were analyzed. Allergy-immunology specialists were the most common provider specialty to perform allergy immunotherapy treatments (68.9%, p<0.05). Among other specialties, there were no significant differences between specialists performing immunotherapy when comparing otolaryngology, family practice, and internal medicine (16.3%; 4.6%; 2.6%; p>0.05). Providers with an M.D. degree were the most common provider type. The three most commonly treated diagnoses were allergic rhinitis variants. Females were more likely to receive allergy treatments versus males (55.9% vs. 51.5%; p<0.001), and were more likely to receive allergy testing (65.3% vs. 34.7%: p<0.005). Internal medicine providers charged higher than any other specialist type (p<0.05) for allergy immunotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a large payer database coupled with visualization techniques was an efficient approach to characterizing the state-wide provision patterns of allergy diagnostic and therapy services in North Carolina. This first tier approach to efficiently exploring questions and describing populations is valuable.