Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Long-term commitment to humanitarian surgical outreach requires the opportunity, resources, and time to participate, but perhaps more importantly, it requires a preceding successful outreach experience. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) expects physician trainees to achieve six Core Competencies: patient care, medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice. This study investigates the challenges and benefits of a supervised humanitarian experience with a focus on ACGME Core Competencies, future global outreach, and commitment to education. STUDY DESIGN: Physician survey and program curriculum review. METHODS: Participants in a supervised humanitarian educational experience at a single Otology-Neurotology Fellowship Program between the years of 2006 and 2019 were surveyed. Barriers to participation, challenges, benefits, prior and ongoing humanitarian efforts, and education endeavors were discussed. RESULTS: Challenges including time away from fellowship, logistical difficulties with Resident Review Committee recognition of operative case volume, and civil unrest were encountered. Benefits within all six ACGME Core Competencies were achieved. International collaboration with local providers, patients, and families with diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds allowed bidirectional education while striving for safe, innovative solutions in resource-poor environments. CONCLUSIONS: A supervised education experience with a sustainable humanitarian otology program offers Neurotology fellows an early positive experience near the end of their formal training. ACGME Professionalism goals were achieved through building collegial relationships with local otolaryngologists and staff, while fostering a sense of responsibility to assist those in developing nations. Participation correlated with an ongoing commitment to humanitarian efforts and education post-fellowship. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.