Elevating Patient Care Through Interprofessional Collaboration
Through five decades of partnership, the Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Nurses and the Academy have shown that excellence in patient care is achieved together.
Maria Colandrea, DNP, NP-C, President, Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Nurses
In today’s healthcare environment, delivering high-quality, patient-centered care is more complex than ever. This is especially true in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery, where patients often face multifactorial diagnoses and require multidisciplinary management. To meet these demands, interprofessional collaboration must move from concept to cornerstone. In our field, success is built not by individuals working in silos, but by integrated teams delivering coordinated care.
For nearly five decades, the Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Nurses (SOHN) has been a steadfast partner of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS). This enduring relationship has advanced the quality of otolaryngology care and created lasting pathways for clinical, educational, and professional collaboration. SOHN nurses and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) lead and contribute meaningfully across the care continuum from the operating room and outpatient clinic to inpatient recovery, research, and quality improvement initiatives.
Bridging Disciplines for Better Outcomes
Interprofessional collaboration brings together diverse expertise to improve patient outcomes and experiences. In otolaryngology, the multidisciplinary team may include physicians, nurses, APRNs, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and other allied health professionals. Each brings a unique and essential perspective.
Nurses and advanced practice providers must work alongside otolaryngologists to deliver holistic, patient-focused care. Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists manage chronic otolaryngology-head and neck conditions, provide perioperative support, conduct patient education, and contribute to complex decision-making. In subspecialties such as head and neck oncology, nurse navigators coordinate multimodal care including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, while also addressing patients’ emotional and psychosocial needs. These contributions are not supplemental; they are integral to delivering safe, effective care.
Education and Advocacy: A Shared Mission
As SOHN prepares for its 49th Annual Congress and Educational Symposium this October in Indianapolis, Indiana, the focus remains on developing clinical excellence among otolaryngology nurses and advanced practice providers (APPs). For the first time, the program will offer AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, expanding access to physician assistants and further promoting interdisciplinary learning. This year’s agenda features immersive hands-on training in nasolaryngoscopy, tracheostomy care, suturing, incision and draining, and epistaxis management, complemented by high-quality didactic sessions that address a wide range of otolaryngologic conditions. This commitment to continuing education ensures that nurses and APPs remain vital clinical partners, prepared to meet the complex and evolving needs of the patients they serve.
The commitment to education is also a shared value between SOHN and the AAO-HNS. Opportunities for joint learning whether at national meetings, in simulation labs, or through collaborative clinical practice guideline development reinforce our collective investment in team-based care. Our advocacy efforts also intersect. From championing access to care to promoting equitable reimbursement and supporting otolaryngology-head and neck research, our unified voices are more impactful.
Looking Forward: Strengthening the Collaborative Model
As medicine advances with innovations in telehealth, artificial intelligence, and value-based care, the demand for collaborative, adaptable teams will only grow. Interprofessional care must become embedded in our systems, our structures, and our culture. As leaders in otolaryngology, it is our responsibility to nurture and expand these partnerships. By fostering inclusive education, building integrated care pathways, and honoring the role of every team member, we can elevate outcomes and enrich the care experience for our patients.
Excellence in otolaryngology is not achieved in isolation. It is achieved patient by patient through collaboration, respect, and shared purpose.
