Needs Assessment in Head and Neck Surgical Oncology Training: A Qualitative Study of Expert Opinions

Head and neck surgical training in North America has had a long and distinguished history; however, few studies have aimed to assess needs in fellowships accredited by the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS). Furthermore, the need for a formal certification process has been vigorously debated by the AHNS leadership and the community of head and neck surgeons. To characterize the current state of head and neck surgery training and identify areas for improvement, we conducted interviews with fifty-eight program directors and senior faculty in head and neck surgery. We found that all experts were in favor of a national standardized curriculum. The most commonly mentioned elements of a standard curriculum included multidisciplinary exposure, participation in a regular tumor board, a recommended reading list, balance of clinic and operating time, and a detailed case log. The majority of experts believed that a formal certification process would be beneficial, though there was no consensus as to the optimal format. Additionally, opinions were mixed regarding whether accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) should be pursued.