Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
Learning Modern Laryngeal Surgery in a Dissection Laboratory
Published on: March 18, 2020
Do Medical Students Receive Adequate Otolaryngology Training? A Canadian Perspective
Brandon R Rosvall1, Zachary Singer2, Kevin Fung2,3
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Objectives:
Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) training has been found to be underrepresented in medical school curricula. The study aimed to assess (i) students' clinical OHNS exposure, (ii) their confidence managing OHNS conditions, and (iii) the correlation between OHNS exposure and confidence managing OHNS conditions.
Methods:
Fourth-year medical students at two Canadian Universities completed a survey assessing baseline characteristics, OHNS training, and confidence managing OHNS conditions.
Results:
Of 87 returned surveys, 46 students had no clinical OHNS exposure, while 29 felt there was adequate OHNS exposure. The majority of students lacked confidence recognizing conditions requiring emergent referral. Students with greater OHNS training had greater confidence managing OHNS conditions (r = 0.267, P = .012).
Conclusion:
The majority of medical students have minimal OHNS exposure. Students with greater OHNS exposure have greater confidence managing OHNS conditions. A review of Canadian medical school curricula is warranted to ensure adequate OHNS exposure.
