Core Curriculum Syllabus: Learning Objectives

1. Students should be able to perform a basic head and neck exam with equipment available to a primary care practitioner (flashlight, tongue blade, otoscope).
2. It is not expected that students will become proficient with a mirror exam. However, if at all possible they should have an opportunity to observe, but not perform, a fiberoptic exam of the larynx.
3. Students should be acquainted with the risk factors for head and neck cancer and know the early signs that would precipitate a referral to an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon. If possible, they should have an opportunity to see some examples of head and neck cancers, especially of the oral cavity.
4. Students should be familiar with an ear exam including tympanometry and have an opportunity to compare an exam performed with the otoscope and an exam using binocular microscope.
5. Although exposure to the operating room is not emphasized, it would be very useful for students to observe common procedures like PE tubes and tonsillectomy. It would also be ideal if students become familiar with tracheostomy tubes.
6. Students should be familiar with typical clinical presentation, key physical findings, initial treatment, and referral indications for common otolaryngological diseases listed below:
   (Note that students receive five didactic lectures as part of the surgery core covering allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, AOM, SOM, OE, epistaxis, facial fractures, hearing loss, dizziness, and swallowing disorders.)

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©2001-2006 Baylor College of Medicine
Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Mail: One Baylor Plaza, NA102, Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-798-5906
E-mail: oto@bcm.edu

Last modified: Jan. 23, 2006