Behind the Peer Review: Conversations with Star Reviewers
Otologist Janet S. Choi, MD, MDPH, leverages her research expertise and mentorship experience to shape the future of research in the specialty.
Janet S. Choi, MD, MPHJanet S. Choi, MD, MPH, assistant professor of clinical otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, is a 2024 Star Reviewer* for the OTO Journals. She began peer reviewing for Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and OTO Open after graduating from the Resident Reviewer Development Program (RRDP) in 2020. Since then, she has gone on to become an RRDP mentor herself, teaching residents how to become skillful reviewers. As a result of her invaluable contributions to the journals as a Star Reviewer, Dr. Choi joined the Editorial Boards in 2024. Dr. Choi shared her best practices for success as a reviewer.
What is your area of research focus within otolaryngology-head and neck surgery? I am an otologist/neurotologist, and my research focuses on understanding the impact of hearing loss on healthy aging—specifically examining how treating hearing loss with hearing aids and cochlear implants influences various health outcomes. My team employs a combination of epidemiological analyses, clinical trials, and community-based initiatives to improve access to hearing health carefor older adults with hearing loss.
Tell us about your path to becoming a Star Reviewer. I began co-peer reviewing as a junior otolaryngology resident, initially invited to participate based on my publication record in hearing loss research among older adults. One pivotal experience was participating as a mentee in the Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Resident Reviewer Development Program during my PGY3 year. This program was instrumental in refining my reviewing skills, and I highly recommend it to residents interested in broadening their exposure to the peer review process. Over time, I expanded my peer reviewing scope, particularly in otology and neurotology, after completing my fellowship.
How do you balance quality reviews with clinical demands amid your busy schedule? Balancing peer review with other responsibilities can certainly be challenging. I find it helpful to download the manuscripts onto my iPad immediately after accepting a review request, so they're easily accessible when I have downtime during work hours or after hours. I also prioritize review invitations that align with my interests, making the process both enjoyable and educational for myself. Equally important, I try to set realistic expectations based on my schedule and avoid over-committing when faced with competing obligations or deadlines.
What wisdom would you share with the next generation of medical reviewers? For PG-3 and 4 otolaryngology residents, I strongly recommend applying to participate in the Resident Reviewer Development Program. The opportunity to receive direct feedback from a mentor on a real manuscript review was invaluable—it not only helped me improve my review content but also exposed me to various reviewing styles and approaches.
Additionally, I've learned a great deal from being on the other side of the peer review process when submitting my own manuscripts. Particularly enlightening has been receiving reviews from non-otolaryngology journals, as each field and journal often has its own review standards and expectations. When appropriate, I encourage authors to consider submitting their work to broad-scope or multidisciplinary journals—this exposure can be incredibly instructive for both writing and reviewing.
Tell us about one of your own publications of which you are particularly proud. My research team carried out a large, population-based cohort study that demonstrated regular hearing aid use was significantly associated with lower mortality risk compared to never-users, even after adjusting for potential confounders, which published last year in The Lancet Healthy Longevity.1
The findings garnered both national and international attention, contributing to the growing understanding of the potential protective role of hearing aid use against negative health outcomes in adults with hearing loss. Building on this work, my research team continues to investigate how hearing aid use may mitigate the broader health impacts of hearing loss and to explore the underlying mechanisms driving these associations.
*The Star Reviewer recognition is awarded annually to the top reviewers across the OTO Journals; Star Reviewers must meet criteria for both the volume and excellence of their reviews. Eligible Star Reviewers are invited to join the journals’ Editorial Boards in recognition of their service, expertise, and commitment to improving research in the specialty. To learn more about the benefits of becoming a peer reviewer for the OTO Journals, visit Why Peer Review for the OTO Journals.
Choi, JS, et al. (2024) "Association between hearing aid use and mortality in adults with hearing loss in the USA: a mortality follow-up study of a cross-sectional cohort" The Lancet Healthy Longevity. DOI: 10.1016/S2666-7568(23)00232-5
Janet S. Choi, MD, MPH
