Objective: Prior literature has indicated that the number of trained otolaryngologists required to meet the need of our growing population may be insufficient. Therefore, identifying trends in the subspecialty composition of future otolaryngology practices will elucidate workforce needs.
Study design: One-page anonymous questionnaire.
Setting: The survey was completed by examinees at the conclusion of their American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery oral examination from 2011 to 2019.
Methods: Data included age, gender, fellowship, practice type, and ideal future practice components.
Results: A total of 2286 examinees were included: 58.1% were male and 57.2% completed a fellowship. Ideal practice specialties included general otolaryngology (19%), rhinology (15%), head and neck (13%), and pediatrics (11%). General and pediatric otolaryngology had a negative correlation over time (r = -0.81, P = .01, and r = -0.75, P = .03, respectively). An overall 45% of graduates reported 1 ideal practice area (r = 0.61, P = .10), with a statistically significant decline in the number of ideal practice areas over time (r = -0.79, P = .018). Men more commonly reported allergy, head and neck, otology, rhinology, and sleep medicine as part of their ideal practice (P < .05), while women more commonly reported pediatric otolaryngology (P < .05). There was a higher mean number of ideal practice areas among men than women (2.58 vs 2.1, P < .001).
Conclusion: There is a growing trend for more specialized otolaryngology practices. The data demonstrate a decline in considering general and pediatrics otolaryngology as part of practices, which portends a gap in access to comprehensive otolaryngology in the future.
Keywords: fellowship; general otolaryngology; ideal practice; practice components; practice specialties; practice type; salary structure; workforce.