The fundamental purpose of the Boston University Training Program in Otolaryngology is to educate and train physicians to function independently as specialists in the field of otolaryngology - head and neck surgery.

This specialty provides comprehensive medical and surgical care of patients with diseases and disorders of the head and neck that affect the ears, the face and its skeleton, the respiratory and upper alimentary systems and structures. Specialists in this discipline have knowledge, skills and understanding of the basic medical sciences relevant to the head and neck, the respiratory and upper alimentary systems, the communication sciences including audiology and speech - language pathology, the chemical senses of smell and taste, as well as allergy, cosmetics, endocrinology, and neurology as they relate to the head and neck. Included are the diagnosis and the medical and surgical therapy, reconstruction or prevention of diseases, neoplasms, deformities, disorders and injuries of the head and neck.

The three elements essential to quality medicine - patient care, teaching, and research - are well presented in our training program, but the major emphasis is on patient care. Duration of training is five (5) years. The initial year (PGY1) is spent in the Boston Medical Center General Surgery Program; this is followed by four years of progressive training in the specialty of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at Boston Medical Center and four affiliated institutions. Didactic training in otolaryngology is presented in planned formats throughout the four years.