The commitment to research is a priority in the Department of Otolaryngology at Tulane University. Our residents participate in both independent and assisted research throughout their training. Research allows the opportunity for critical thinking with direct correlation to their clinical experience. The aims are to facilitate scholarly thinking, creativity, and an understanding of the vast knowledge that surrounds the field of Otolaryngology. A total of three months are allocated for dedicated research time in the residents fourth year, however, residents are encouraged to participate in projects throughout their training experience. Faculty mentorship is available and encouraged during this process.
In summary, residents currently spend 51 months on full-time clinical otolaryngology-head and neck surgery rotations. In addition, they are required to spend three months on a dedicated full-time research rotation. The new 80 hour resident work week is monitored and enforced on an on-going basis throughout the year. Educational, evaluation, and promotion criteria center around acquiring proficiency in the six core competencies: patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning/improvement, interpersonal/communication skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice.
