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Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
Residency
residents doing exam

Residency Curriculum

The residency program in the Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery at IU School of Medicine is based on the core curriculum of the American Board of Otolaryngology and includes five years of post-graduate medical education. In year one, residents focus on general surgery residency at IU Health University Hospital and affiliated hospitals. For the remaining 48 months, resident training occurs in hospitals affiliated with IU School of Medicine in Indianapolis.

Residents learn from faculty members with advanced training and expertise in head and neck oncology and reconstructive surgery, laryngology, pediatric otolaryngology, neurotology, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and endoscopic sinus surgery. Yet, the program isn’t limited to a future physician’s training and graduating. Department faculty members serve as professional mentors to residents for the rest of their careers.

Upon completing this residency program, residents will have exceeded the requirements of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the Residency Review Committee for Otolaryngology.

Program Progression

Six months Otolaryngology, six months CORE rotations

General Otolaryngology, Pediatric Otolaryngology, Otology/Neurotology

Facial Plastics, Rhinology, Head and Neck, Laryngology, Research

Head and Neck, Rhinology, Laryngology, General Otolaryngology

Otology/Neurotology, Facial Plastics, General Otolaryngology, Head and Neck

Unless otherwise specified, rotations are two months each. Unique to the otolaryngology residency at IU School of Medicine, a protected four-month research block exists to all residents during year three.

Simulation Experience

Residents improve technical skills and judgement through many hands-on medical simulation settings:

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology hosts a quarterly multidisciplinary airway simulation in the state-of-the-art Simulation Center at Fairbanks Hall.
  • Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery offers endoscopic cadaver dissections.
  • Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery provides facial plating and trauma courses.
  • Otology leads weekly sessions at the Otolaryngology Temporal Bone Laboratory, equipped with 15 individual stations of quality operating microscopes and the latest otologic surgical drills. The laboratory is open and available to residents at all times for additional practice.

Call Schedule

Otolaryngology residents at IU School of Medicine are required to participate in on-call duties, starting in year two. The objective of on-call activities is to prepare residents for the clinical practice of otolaryngology and to facilitate experience with acute patient care. Junior-level residents rotate primary call on a nightly basis and on weekends and holidays. In general, each resident has the majority of two weekends free of call per month. Senior-level residents rotate coverage of backup call on a weekly basis. Junior residents take five to six home calls per month.

Education courses, presentations

Otoloryngology Grand Rounds are held every Wednesday morning from 7 to 9 am. Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery faculty (both clinical and research) as well as distinguished guests present on themes relating to the field of otolaryngology. All medical professional attendees receive two AMA PRA Category 1 Credits each session. Active participation is encouraged. Residents prepare two to three presentations during their training.

The IU School of Medicine annual Anatomy and Histopathology of the Head, Neck and Temporal Bone Course is the longest-running postgraduate education course in the United States. Held in July each year, this one-week review includes didactics, hands-on application of surgical techniques and a thorough review of the head and neck anatomy. Each day is dedicated to a specific area of otolaryngology. The course is taught by IU School of Medicine faculty alongside nationally renowned guest lecturers. All otolaryngology residents are required to attend (along with 24 residents from other otolaryngology programs around the country).

Clinically related conferences allow medical specialists in multiple disciplines collaborate to ensure patients receive comprehensive, evidence-based treatment throughout their health care experience. Residents have opportunities to interact with clinicians in radiation oncology, pathology, medical oncology, speech pathology and other departments. Conferences include Head and Neck Oncology Conference, Cochlear Implant Program Meetings, Neuroradiology Conference, Thyroid and Endocrine Conference and Facial Trauma Conference.