Learn how simulation-based medical education is transforming training for otolaryngologists—and consider contributing your innovations to next year’s Annual Meeting education program!
Mark K. Wax, MD, former Annual Meeting Program Coordinator
Otolaryngology consists of multiple subspecialties, each with its own unique equipment and applications. Residency teaches a great deal of what is current in cutting-edge technology, and many programs have adopted competency-based education to ensure that trainees obtain a high standard of technical skill by the end of their training. Such curricula can range from didactic education processes to apprenticeship-style training in the operating room to simulation-based medical education (SBME).
Modern SBME has been used for more than a decade across multiple fields. (Read more about the fascinating history of medical simulation in the August 2024 issue of the Bulletin). SBME uses clinical scenarios in an education environment to introduce, train, and perfect various skills, ranging from intellectual problem-solving to advanced technical exercises. Practicing these skills in a controlled, non-patient setting promotes deliberate and thoughtful learning that can be tailored to individual education styles. Learners can start with basic instruction from a subject matter expert, practice independently, and receive periodic evaluations until they achieve competency. Although residency often exposes the learner to different aspects of technical procedure during various portions of their training, simulation allows maintenance and honing of the skill set.
Otolaryngology continues to develop, and new technologies are integrated at a rapid pace, introducing advanced tools and methodologies for patient care. Incorporating these innovations into residency programs can take years and offer only sporadic exposure that may not provide the expertise some residents require for their future careers. Practicing surgeons also may wish to incorporate new technologies into their work after completing their training. SBME allows both early and advanced learners to develop a new skill set, maintain their current skill set, retrain after a period of absence, and integrate developing technologies into their practice. Practicing otolaryngologists have embraced lifelong learning, as demonstrated by their participation in the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) education offerings.
The AAO-HNSF has been a leader in integrating SBME into its education programs, notably at its Annual Meeting. Over the past six years, the Academy’s simulation offerings have evolved into a comprehensive curriculum. At the recent Annual Meeting in Miami, Florida, simulation was a focal point of the education program, with over two dozen new and returning simulation events, including the Simulation Showcase and SIM Tank and a full program of education sessions. The robust three-day simulation education program featured multiple courses each day across three rooms, offering education experiences ranging from interactive classroom-style sessions to hands-on manipulation of materials to simulations of actual surgical procedures.
The value of SBME has been well documented. Studies have shown that it increases confidence and competence in simulated tasks. At the Miami meeting, participants engaged in simulation activities dealing with maxillofacial trauma, a live saw bones lab, and virtual surgical planning with an interactive audience component. Pre- and post-activity surveys demonstrated significant improvements in attendees’ confidence, technical ability, and expertise, along with high levels of overall enjoyment of the courses.
SBME is a vital adjunct to training and maintaining clinical and surgical competency. The AAO-HNSF has made simulation education a cornerstone of its programs, continually expanding opportunities for learners and educators alike.
The AAO-HNSF 2025 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO Call for Science is now open, including for submission of Simulation Presentation abstracts. Simulation Presentations are one-hour education presentations with simulation tools at the core. If you have an SBME that you would like to share or utilize as an education tool at the upcoming meeting, be sure to submit it before the January 20 deadline.
(Proposals for the Simulation Showcase will be reviewed via a separate process; that call will open in spring 2025.)
Further Reading on Simulation Education in the Bulletin
