Undergraduate otolaryngology education in Canadian medical schools

To examine the quantity and nature of undergraduate otolaryngology instruction in the Canadian medical school system and to present the management of the undergraduate otolaryngology curriculum at the University of Toronto medical school with a yearly enrolment of 224 students.

Survey questionnaire and narrative description.

A structured one-page survey was administered to the education directors of all 16 Canadian medical schools. The administration of core learning material, scheduling, patient encounter logging, and student and instructor evaluations with computerized, on-line systems at the University of Toronto was described.

Rotations in otolaryngology were highly variable across medical schools. Mandatory rotations in otolaryngology were identified in only 6 of the 16 undergraduate curricula. The average length of clinical experience in schools with mandatory rotations was 4.6 days.

The majority of Canadian medical graduates complete their undergraduate training with minimal clinical experience in otolaryngology. There is a clear discrepancy between the quantity and perceived need for training. To provide a thorough and equitable exposure to otolaryngology, a curriculum with standardized lectures and evaluation procedures is required.