The diseases treated by otolaryngologists include congenital, neoplastic, inflammatory, traumatic and degenerative as well as cosmetic deformities. Following residency training, opportunities exist for fellowships in subspecialty areas. Fellowships are available in otology, head and neck oncology, pediatric otolaryngology, allergy, and facial plastic surgery. The minimum requirements for board certification in OTO-HNS include five postgraduate years. Program directors have latitude in determining the length and character of their program.
Some programs require two years of general surgery followed by four years of otolaryngology.
The various residency programs also have different strengths and areas of emphasis. As you evaluate programs, you will need to match the different program strengths with your interests. The program directors in OTO-HNS want to emphasize that a broad medical education is important in this specialty. It is the recommendation of the Association fo Academic Departments of Otolaryngology that medical students take no more than one OTO-HNS rotation outside their parent institution. The senior year experience in medical school is an important aspect of your overall education that should not be diluted by the residency application process.