Standing
Committee: Academic Training Programme
Fellowship Programme Otology & Neuro-Otology
Van
den Broek, O’Donoghue, Magnan,
Pauw
A. Goals
One of the objectives
of the European Academy of Otology and Neuro-Otology is to
ensure a high quality training for young otorhinolaryngologists
with special interest in the field of otology, neuro-otology,
skull base and neuro-otologic surgery.
Most otolaryngologists presently practising in this field in Europe have
worked for a variable time in a centre where highly skilled otologists
have developed new diagnostic and surgical methods often in collaboration
with other specialists like neurosurgeons, radiologists, maxillofacial
surgeons. Many of them are self made men.
Proposals have been made for a European general otorhinolaryngology programme
with a duration of six years and under the auspices of the UEMS. The otorhinolaryngology
training programme is of a general nature and does not include any training
in the more rare and complicated pathology in the field of otology, neuro-otology,
skull base and neuro-otologic surgery.
In order to guarantee a high level of practice it is imperative that the
requirements for training in this field are further defined. Only centres
which meet certain criteria can participate in a fellowship programme.
It is also important in order to regulate the number of people practising
in this field.
Young otorhinolaryngologists who have followed the specialised training
programme could achieve the title of Fellow of the European Academy of
Otology and Neuro-Otology, following the charter of the UEMS.
Of course it will take some time before this can be implemented. |
B. Duration of training
1. The
duration of training in otology, neuro-otology, skull base
and neuro-otologic surgery should be two years after the
regular
basic training programme in otorhinolaryngology.
2. This period should be spent as a
fulltime fellow in one of the centres considered as a
training institution by the European
Academy of Otology and Neuro-Otology.
3. After completion of the fellowship programme with a
certificate of approval from the board of the Training programme of the
EAONO the candidate becomes a fellow of the EAONO. |
C. The scope of the training programme
The training programme
would include theoretical and practical training in diagnosis
and treatment in otology, neuro-otology, skull base and
neuro-otologic surgery. Participation in a multidisciplinary
team comprising otolaryngologists, neurological surgeons,
neuroradiologists, audiologists, neurophysiologists and
other relevant disciplines is a desirable addition. The
programme would provide:
In otology
1. Training in the more specialized
areas of middle ear surgery including surgery for otosclerosis,
congenital, facial nerve pathology
and choleseatoma in all its aspects.
2. Training in audiovestibular and electrophysiological
procedures, including electrocochleography, brainstem audiometry,
OAE and videonystagmography.
3. Exposure and participation in a cochlear implant
programme.
4. Participation in an active programme of research
with the opportunity to produce scientific peer reviewed publications.
5. Participation in a programme of clinical audit.
In neuro-otology
1. Training in the investigation,
medical and surgical management of diseases affecting
the inner ear and its related structures.
2. Training in intra-operative cranial nerves monitoring.
3. Exposure to diagnostic imaging related to skull
base and neuro-otologic surgery.
In skull base and neuro-otologic
surgery
1. Exposure to those conditions affecting
the anterior, lateral and posterior skull base, including
the clivus, cavernous sinus, occipital
bone, sphenoid bone and foramen magnum.
2. Exposure to the use of neuronavigational techniques
related to the skull base.
3. Experience in the post-operative care of patients
following skull base and neuro-otologic surgery procedures, including intensive
care management.
4. Training in the post-operative rehabilitation of
patients following skull base and neuro-otologic surgery.
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D. The training institution
1. The
center must be a recognized otolaryngology training institution.
2. The institution must have staff in
otology, skull base and neuro-otologic surgery.
3. The institution has to provide a recent inventory of
otologic, skull base and neuro-otologic procedures.
4. The institution must have the necessary infrastructure,
diagnostic and aftercare facilities for the practice of otology,
neuro-otology, skull base and neuro-otologic surgery.
These should include neuroradiological facilities, neuromonitoring,
neuropathology, intensive care unit, audit meetings,
etc.
5. Acces to temporal bone dissection facilities.
6. Acces to a major medical library or electronic retrieval
systems to support the educational needs of the Fellow.
7. No more than one Fellow to be in the institution at
any given time.
8. A rotation between approved institutions may be encouraged
for educational reasons. |
E. The Fellow
1. Must
have satisfactorily completed an approved training programme
in otolaryngology – head an neck surgery, and include
basic training in otologic surgery. The fellow must give
evidence of proficiency in more routine otologic procedures like
tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy.
2. Will be required to keep records of all aspects of
training and research.
3. Will write an evaluation of the programme on completion. |
F. Programme Co-ordinator will:
1. provide
a written statement outlining the educational goals of the
programme,
2. supervise the educational, research,
administrative and financial aspects of the programme,
3. organise recruitment, counselling and evaluation of
the Fellow,
4. maintain current records of all relevant otologic,
neuro-otologic, skull base and patients treated at the institution. |
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