What do otolaryngologists want to learn? An educational targeted needs assessment study

Abstract Introduction: Targeted needs assessment which includes identifying the needs of learners is a key step of program development. However, this step is commonly underestimated in postgraduate medical education programs, including otolaryngology residency training. Determining the needs of otolaryngologists may help educators to design more purposeful continuing medical education training programs. Furthermore, needs of specialists may provide a clearer insight about effectiveness of the residency programs in that specialty. Objective: To determine training needs of otolaryngology specialists and to identify deficiencies in otolaryngology residency training programs. Methods: Seventy-eight otolaryngology specialists, who completed all data gathering forms properly, were included in this descriptive, cross-sectional study. Demographic data of the participants were collected. Training needs of the participants were determined in seven basic areas of otolaryngology via two-round Delphi method. The basic areas were otology-neurotology, rhinology, laryngology, head and neck surgery, pediatric otolaryngology, sleep disorders and facial plastic surgery. Additionally, we asked an open-ended question to investigate the reasons why the participants perceived themselves incompetent and undereducated, or why they needed further training in some of the basic otolaryngology areas. Results: Facial plastic surgery, otology-neurotology and head and neck surgery were the most cited training areas in the needs assessment. Training needs differed according to experience and place of work. Financial expectations, deficiencies in residency training, regression in knowledge and skills, and special interest were effective determinants on decisions of the participants while determining their training needs. Conclusion: Otolaryngologists need further training in some areas of their field due to different reasons. Determining these areas and reasons will help in designing more effective continuous medical education activities and residency training programs in otolaryngology.

引言：包含明确学习者需求在内的针对性需求评估（targeted needs assessment），是项目开发的关键步骤。然而，该环节在研究生医学教育（postgraduate medical education）项目，包括耳鼻咽喉科住院医师培训（otolaryngology residency training）中常被忽视。明确耳鼻咽喉科医师（otolaryngologists）的需求，有助于教育工作者设计更具针对性的继续医学教育（continuing medical education）培训项目。此外，专科医师的需求，也能为评估该专科住院医师培训项目的有效性提供更清晰的视角。
研究目的：明确耳鼻咽喉科专科医师的培训需求，并识别耳鼻咽喉科住院医师培训项目中存在的不足。
研究方法：本研究为描述性横断面研究，共纳入78名完整填写所有数据收集表格的耳鼻咽喉科专科医师。研究收集了受试者的人口学资料，并通过两轮德尔菲法（two-round Delphi method），从耳鼻咽喉科的7个基础亚专业领域评估受试者的培训需求。这7个基础领域分别为：耳科-神经耳科（otology-neurotology）、鼻科学（rhinology）、喉科学（laryngology）、头颈外科（head and neck surgery）、小儿耳鼻咽喉科学（pediatric otolaryngology）、睡眠障碍（sleep disorders）及面部整形外科学（facial plastic surgery）。此外，本研究设置了开放式问题，以探究受试者认为自身能力不足、培训欠缺，或在部分耳鼻咽喉科基础领域需要进一步培训的原因。
研究结果：面部整形外科学、耳科-神经耳科学及头颈外科是需求评估中提及率最高的培训领域。培训需求因受试者的从业年限及工作地点而异。在确定自身培训需求时，受试者的决策受多种因素影响，包括经济预期、住院医师培训存在不足、知识与技能退化，以及个人特殊兴趣。
研究结论：由于多种原因，耳鼻咽喉科医师需要在其专业领域的部分方向接受进一步培训。明确这些需求领域及背后的原因，将有助于设计更高效的耳鼻咽喉科继续医学教育活动及住院医师培训项目。