Otolaryngology third-year elective

At Geisinger, our otolaryngologists are expert in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer of the head and neck, sinus conditions, sleep disorders and snoring, pediatric conditions and diseases involving the head and neck, hearing problems, tumors of the skull base, endocrine disorders of the head and neck, as well as facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. We also offer specialized treatment of swallowing disorders, voice problems, dizziness and balance disorders, and a cochlear implant program.

With an ACGME-accredited residency program in otolaryngology, a major focus of our department is to educate and train resident and student physicians. Medical students will be exposed to a variety of diseases and disorders within our specialty. Both third and fourth year medical students are welcome and encouraged to rotate with us.

Goals & objectives

The goal of this elective is to provide medical students with an introduction to otolaryngology. Our department recognizes that there are third year students who are interested in joining the field of otolaryngology and also those who plan to pursue other specialties but wish to further their basic understanding of the field through more depth of study. The department welcomes both types of students, and the faculty will do its utmost to maximize their educational experience as it is relevant to the students’ career goals.

Third year medical students will gain further experience in the field while also integrating with and participating in the team approach to patient care. Basic expectations for third-year students are the following:

• Punctual attendance at morning and evening rounds with the resident team and active participation in the care of in-patients
• Active evaluation of patients in the in-patient and out-patient setting, under supervision of residents and faculty
• Exposure to a variety of ENT cases in the operating room and assist when appropriate, commensurate with the performance level of a third-year medical student

We realize that not every third-year medical student has had clinical exposure to otolaryngology and, therefore, do not expect him or her to be an expert in our field. However, both residents and attendings will expect each student to demonstrate a willingness to learn, to be involved in patient care, and to show an increased knowledge of otolaryngology at the completion of the rotation. Therefore, our expectations of the third-year medical student include:

Clinic
Participate in clinic by, initially, shadowing a senior resident and then by seeing uncomplicated patients on his or her own. The medical student will present his findings to an otolaryngology resident and then, together, to the clinic attending. Residents/attendings will indicate to the medical student if he or she is to present to the attendings directly.

Operative experience
In order to gain optimal experience in the operating room, the third-year medical student is expected to read the patient’s chart prior to the day of surgery. It is also expected that the student has reviewed the pertinent anatomy of the case prior to surgery. The student should also follow his or her surgical patients during their hospital stay in order to better understand patient care and disease processes.