title: Sub-specialty training in head and neck surgical oncology in the European Union.
abstract: Sub-specialty training in otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery (ORL-HNS) is not standardised across European Union (EU) states and remains diverse. The objective of this study was to assess the current status of sub-specialty training programmes in head and neck surgical oncology within the European Union (EU-15). A postal questionnaire was distributed to 41 representative members of the European Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies (EUFOS) in the specialty of ORL-HNS in 15 EU states. The questionnaire included questions regarding the sub-specialty practice, structure, length, access, examination procedures and certification, future developments and also a space for individual comments. Thirty-one respondents (75.6%) from major training centres in 15 different European countries replied. Overall, the data revealed major diversity for all aspects analysed, between and within the different European countries. Only four EU states had formal sub-specialty training in head and neck surgical oncology. This includes Finland, Germany, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. In the rest of EU states, the last year of residency programmes is often spent as an introduction to one of the sub-specialties. Sub-specialty training in head and neck surgical oncology within the EU at present is clearly underdeveloped. Issuing a European diploma in ORL-HNS could be an initial step towards assessing the skills acquired during specialist training within the different European countries and formalising specialist training. This would establish a uniform measure for evaluating candidacy for sub-specialty training both across the EU and for USA, Canada or Australia.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Guy's Hospital, 3rd Floor Southwark Wing, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RT, UK. amanganaris@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Argyris
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manganaris
authors.forename: Myles
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: Alistair
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balfour
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hartley
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Jeannon
authors.forename: Ricard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Simo
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000592:standards*; D005062:European Union; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms; D006801:Humans; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000193:education*; D013043:Specialties, Surgical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires