Published: August 1, 2024

The OCC Is the Global Education Tool

A spotlight on global education through the OCC and embracing the global otolaryngology community at the 2024 Annual Meeting.


James C. Denneny III, MD AAO-HNS/F Executive Vice President and CEOJames C. Denneny III, MD
AAO-HNS/F Executive Vice President and CEO
July 1, 2024, marked the successful launch of the Otolaryngology Core Curriculum (OCC) with 104 otolaryngology training programs (79.4% of the total U.S.-based programs) registering more than 1,391 residents-in-training. Remarkably, this game-changing education product was brought to fruition over an extremely ambitious timeline by the seamless collaboration between the leaders of the otolaryngology-head and neck surgery academic community and the Foundation’s education staff, supported by the legion of volunteer members who give so much to our specialty.

The curriculum, which will include 100 modules encompassing the full breadth and depth of our ever-expanding specialty using state-of-the-art pedagogical strategies for our residents-in-training, has been enthusiastically received and will be the standard for the foreseeable future. During the planning and research process, the potential utility of the OCC in other capacities was compelling and commanded the consideration of adapting the OCC for complementary uses. The most obvious area of benefit and need extends to residents-in-training across the globe, particularly those in less-resourced situations. The OCC is a digital learning product that can be accessed across devices wherever there is adequate Internet service. The program is written in English; however, for those not proficient in English, they can simply go to their web browser settings and convert the text to their preferred language.

The potential demand for this education content beyond the residents-in-training cohort is also compelling. The cadre of healthcare team members who work collaboratively with otolaryngologists to maximize patient experiences and results is broadening, and it would certainly be valuable to have an effective tool that can both introduce and prepare them to work most effectively within the field. Voilà, the OCC is such a tool that can be effectively adapted to function as a resource to educate team members of all disciplines. This could include residents-in-training in primary care fields such as emergency medicine, family practice, internal medicine, and pediatrics. It could also have a positive impact on training medical students at institutions who do not have an otolaryngology-head and neck surgery department or program on campus, nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants employed by otolaryngologists, surgery center and hospital staff members, otolaryngology-based office staff, and industry representatives of companies doing business in our space. All of these are being actively investigated and considered.

We are deeply indebted to the host of volunteer leaders and AAO-HNSF Education Committee members who have donated hundreds of hours in planning and operationalizing this monumental project, as well as promoting the value it brings to our specialty. It goes without saying that we could not have produced the OCC by the agreed upon timeline without the exceptional dedication and effort put forth by our staff, led by Tirza Lofgreen, CHCP, Senior Director, Professional Education and Digital Learning business unit, and her team.

Our upcoming AAO-HNSF 2024 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPOSM is projected to be one of the most highly attended meeting events in our history based on a strong domestic contingent and an enthusiastic international audience taking advantage of the ease of travel to a truly internationally diverse community in Miami Beach, Florida.  This combination creates an ideal opportunity for Academy members to serve as welcoming hosts and form new collegial relationships that will only grow over time.

As a frequent participant in our continually expanding joint meeting program, I have been treated warmly and made to feel truly welcome at every international meeting I have attended regardless of the host country. I have also routinely witnessed similar hospitality for visiting guests by the host organization that made them feel truly welcome at the meeting and that the hosts were happy that they chose to attend.

In my opinion, we should offer our international colleagues at all stages of their careers the same courtesies and respect. We should recognize how valuable that shared experiences and contributions are to the evolution and progression of our specialty to achieving the “best patient care.”

If you are attending our Annual Meeting in Miami Beach this year, I challenge you to interact with our guests from around the world, welcome them with open arms, help them when you can, and most of all, get to know someone you haven’t known before and begin a meaningful collaboration and relationship that can last throughout your career.


More from August 2024 – Vol. 43, No. 8