Research in otolaryngology: NIH support and other considerations

The National Institutes of Health continue to provide support for a major portion of biomedical research in this country. Research serves as the keystone to the continued health of Otolaryngology, but there are clear indications that otolaryngologists' direct involvement in research is diminishing at a dangerous pace. Some of the causes of this problem are identified. Solutions include, first and foremost, more general recognition of the importance to the speciality of biomedical research; currently available mechanisms offered by the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke for the support of investigator training might be utilized more extensively and collaborative research between clinician and basic science investigators should be encouraged.