Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement | Observer Program

The Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement serves as a world-renowned preference for all patients with complex head and neck masses, congenital anomalies, airway disorders, sinonasal disease, and otologic disorders.

The department’s 15 full-time, board-certified otolaryngology and neurotology staff surgeons have extensive experience in a variety of different areas within the field of otolaryngology.

Our department offers an observership designed for physicians from all over the world who are looking to enhance or refine their pediatric otolaryngology skills.

Through this program, observers will be provided the opportunity to observe and evaluate various advanced surgical techniques as well as perform research regarding minimally invasive procedures in pediatric otolaryngology.

Upon completion of our observership program, participants will have gained ample exposure to comprehensive patient management and innovative surgical techniques, as well as strengthened their education from our broad didactic teaching curriculum.

The observership is designated for physicians who are currently in an otolaryngology residency or fellowship program or are practicing otolaryngology surgeons who desire further knowledge of our specialty of pediatric otolaryngology. In addition to the application form, please include:

• A letter from the applicant’s chairman, chief, or director stating the applicant’s home institution to be your official sponsor
• Curriculum vitae (in English)
• A current photograph of yourself

• Airway Conference (5 to 6 p.m. Mondays): Participants meet to discuss the care of complex airway patients scheduled for diagnostic evaluation or therapeutic intervention that week or in the very near future. The fellows review the history and medical record of complicated patients and present their cases to the staff. As part of their presentation the fellows are required to describe a detailed synopsis of the patient’s medical history, current condition, and suggestions of an appropriate treatment plan.
• Morbidity and Mortality Conference (7 to 8 a.m., first Wednesday of the month): Fellows and residents are responsible for review and discussion of the past month’s M&M cases at this meeting.
• Head & Neck Conference (4 to 5 p.m., second Wednesday of the month): Participants discuss care of patients with tumors of head and neck. These cases are presented and discussed by a multispecialty group of attending physicians.
• Research Conference (7 to 8 a.m., every other second Wednesday; rotates with Joint Conference): Participants discuss clinical or translational research is presented that is directly applicable to pediatric otolaryngology patients.
• Joint Conference (7 to 8 a.m., every other second Wednesday; rotates with Research Conference): This clinical conference includes all the faculty and fellows in the Harvard Otolaryngology Program located in the Longwood Area: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Boston Children's. A case is presented to the entire group by two or three residents, and discussion about the case follows. This meeting alternates with the Research Conference.
• Radiology Conference (7 to 8 a.m., third Wednesday of the month): Participants review interesting and challenging radiology findings. These cases are presented by the attending physicians and reviewed with radiology staff.
• Otology Conference (7 to 8 a.m., fourth Wednesday of the month): Participants discuss care of challenging otology cases seen during the previous month. Cases are presented by the fellows and attendings. As part of their presentation, the fellows are required to describe a detailed synopsis of the patient’s medical history, current condition, and suggest an appropriate treatment plan.

All international observers must apply to and be processed through the Boston Children's Global Services Observership Program. Please contact observership.program@childrens.harvard.edu for further information.