Specialist Registrars in Otolaryngology: their training programme and career aspirations

The Calman reforms were introduced to Otorhinolaryngology in July 1996 and we are half-way through its first cycle. Further changes may become necessary with expansion of our specialty and because of the need to incorporate super-specialization into current training programmes. We felt that it was an appropriate to evaluate these reforms through the eyes of the Specialist Registrars and at the same time to take the opportunity to investigate their career aspirations. In August 1999 a postal questionnaire was sent to all 184 Specialist Registrars in otorhinolaryngology in England and Wales, of which 123 (66.85%) responded. The results are presented in this paper.