Become a Peer Reviewer for the OTO Journals

Associate Editor for the OTO Journals, Lee M. Akst, MD, explained, “While reviewing may seem like a lot of work at first, the rewards personally and professionally are well worth the effort. Time spent in learning how to do a good review will make you a better researcher and writer, and you will become a savvier consumer of medical literature—which in turn may make you a better clinician.” Associate Editor Chau T. Nguyen, MD, expanded on these benefits, “Reviewing is rewarding! You get to learn about novel ideas, pathologies, and treatments (among other topics), improve papers that will ultimately benefit the authors and our peers if they are published, and receive CME credit. It is a great way to give back to the specialty that has taught us so much.” Becoming a peer reviewer with the OTO Journals gives you the opportunity to give back and grow professionally in many ways:

• Help Improve Research in the Specialty
  You can ensure that the best research is available to those who need it to make decisions about quality patient care, including drug and treatment development, cutting-edge techniques, and more.
• Stay Current with the Latest Research Advances
  Learning how to peer review well can help you become a better “consumer” of medical literature and a better scientist and author. Staying abreast of the latest advances in the field can also help you to improve your care of patients.
• Connect with the Community
  Reviewing for the OTO Journals is a great way to gain experience and become more involved with the AAO-HNSF and the greater otolaryngology community. Over time, reviewing can also lead to more senior positions within the journal.
• Earn up to 15 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ of CME Per Year
  All peer reviewers for the journals can receive CME credit for eligible reviews. Star Reviewers (those who contribute frequent, high-quality reviews) and all those who review at least four papers a year are also recognized at the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting and in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.        
• Give Back to the Specialty and the Global Otolaryngology Community
  Contributing as a peer reviewer helps support patient care worldwide through the advancement of knowledge and practice. The journals are always seeking additional qualified reviewers to provide their invaluable expertise.

These are just a few of the perks of becoming a peer reviewer in the specialty! Keep reading to learn what it takes to become a peer reviewer, whether you are eligible, and how to apply.

What Is Expected of a Reviewer?

According to a landmark 2010 publication by former Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Editor-in-Chief, Richard M. Rosenfeld MD, MPH, “How to review journal manuscripts,” the goals of peer review are six-fold, as follows. 

Table 1. Goals of editorial peer review

Reproduced from Rosenfeld, R.M. (2010), How to review journal manuscripts. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 142: 472-486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otohns.2010.02.010

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Reviewing a manuscript is a commitment, but there is no set amount of time it takes to write a good review. It can take anywhere from a few minutes for a paper with obvious, fundamental flaws to many hours to review and write your report. According to a 2023 survey by the OTO Journals’ publisher, 70% of respondents take at least four days from start to submission to complete their review. 

"It is a great way to volunteer with a relatively minimal and flexible time commitment." 

                                                       — Sarah N. Bowe, MD, EdM, Associate Editor

There is  no set number of reviews that reviewers must complete annually, although completing frequent, high-quality reviews can bring recognition and advancement. You are always welcome to decline a review if you are unavailable, have a conflict of interest, or think a manuscript is too far afield from your area of expertise. (Reviewers who repeatedly decline review invitations over time without updating their schedule may be removed from the roster.) 

Am I Eligible to Review?

If you are already a practicing otolaryngologist, almost certainly! Here are the requirements you need to meet in order to be eligible to review for the OTO Journals:

• If you’re currently pursuing a medical degree, you must have completed your residency and should have experience either solo reviewing or co-reviewing.
• If you’re involved only in research and not aiming to practice medicine, you should have completed your PhD and/or have significant experience co-reviewing with a mentor to apply.
• Retired physicians and those in military or private practice are welcome to review in areas in which they have appropriate expertise and have no conflicts of interest.
• Reviewers also do not need to be current members of the Academy, though we encourage all eligible members to get involved!

If you are not sure whether you are eligible, contact the journals’ Editorial Office at otomanager@entnet.org.

How Do I Apply?

1. Download and complete the Reviewer Application Form (Adobe Reader required).
2. Email the form and your CV to the journals’ Editorial Office at otomanager@entnet.org.

More information and resources on how to peer review for the OTO Journals can also be found on the journals’ websites.

Reference

1. Rosenfeld, R.M. (2010), How to review journal manuscripts. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 142: 472-486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otohns.2010.02.010