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Otolaryngology Doctor
Nature of the work
An otolaryngologist is a head and neck surgeon who provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for patients with diseases and disorders that affect the ears, nose, throat, the respiratory and upper alimentary systems, and related structures of the head and neck. The otolaryngologist diagnoses and provides medical and surgical therapy or prevention of diseases, allergies, neoplasms, deformities, disorders, and injuries of the ears, nose, sinuses, throat, respiratory and upper alimentary systems, face, jaws, and the other head and neck systems. Head and neck oncology, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, and treatment of disorders of hearing and voice are fundamental areas of expertise.1
Otolaryngologists can receive training in the following subspecialties:
neurotology, which involves treating diseases of the ear and temporal bone, including disorders of hearing and balance.
pediatric otolaryngology, which involves diagnosing and treating children with diseases of the ear, nose, and throat including disorders of voice, speech, language, and hearing.
plastic surgery within the head and neck, which involves plastic and reconstructive procedures within the head, face, neck, and associated structures, including cutaneous head and neck oncology and reconstruction, management of maxillofacial trauma, soft tissue repair, and neural surgery.
sleep medicine, which involves diagnosing and managing clinical conditions that occur during sleep, disturb sleep, or are affected by disturbances in the wake-sleep cycle.
Training/residency information
Residency in otolaryngology consists of one year of general surgery, emergency, critical care, and anesthesia training followed by four years of otolaryngology training. Up to two years of additional training is required to practice in one of the subspecialty areas.
References
1 The American Board of Medical Specialties. Guide to Physician Specialties. Evanston, IL: American Board of Medical Specialties; February 2008.
2 Association of American Medical Colleges. Report on Medical School Faculty Salaries 2009–2010. Washington, DC: AAMC; February 2011.