A survey of undergraduate otolaryngology experience at Newcastle University Medical School.
BACKGROUND
Due to the 'modernizing medical careers' changes, doctors with a firm career intention will be able to enter a speciality-specific training programme after their foundation years.


METHODS
A questionnaire was emailed to all 204 final year medical students at Newcastle Medical School asking about their ENT undergraduate experience and if they felt it was sufficient to consider a career in otolaryngology.


RESULTS
One hundred and forty-four completed questionnaires (71 per cent) were returned, with respondents giving the following information: 54 per cent had had a formal ENT attachment (average seven and a half days); 24/144 (17 per cent) and 60/144 (42 per cent) respectively had not attended ENT clinic or theatre; less than 50 per cent had seen common ENT operations; 12/144 (8 per cent) had never heard of a septoplasty; two-thirds (24/36) of aspiring general practitioners had never seen a tonsillectomy or grommet insertion; and only 6/30 (20 per cent) of aspiring surgeons felt their ENT experience had been enough to consider the speciality as a career.


CONCLUSIONS
Alternative methods of delivering an otolaryngology curriculum should be considered. We must promote otolaryngology to medical students at every opportunity.
Doshi
J
J
Department of Otolaryngology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. jayeshdoshi@hotmail.com
Carrie
S
S
D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D003479:Curriculum; D003625:Data Collection; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D008511:Medicine; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000193:education*; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013038:Specialization; D013337:Students, Medical