(A1013) Interventions and Experiences Impacting Medical Student Exposure to Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Introduction: Enhancing early student exposure to OHNS is essential for future advancement of the field. The lack of a standardized curriculum for OHNS in medical school limits awareness of the specialty until the later clinical years. This study aims to identify interventions and experiences that enhance student exposure to OHNS and describe characteristics of these efforts that influence interest in pursuing the field.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in June 2024 using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Included studies were US-based, published in English, and appeared in peer-reviewed journals. Eligible articles were retrospective studies analyzing interventions or experiences involving student exposure to OHNS or interventions aimed at increasing interest in OHNS among students.

Results: Fifteen articles met inclusion criteria. Eleven examined OHNS intervention programs for students, with all (n=10) targeting medical students. Only two interventions included undergraduate students and targeted recruitment of underrepresented minority students. Five of the programs utilized a virtual format. Most studies (n=8) relied on post-survey responses and only three reported longitudinal outcomes. Factors positively influencing interest in OHNS included early exposure, engagement in research, race-concordant role models, and participation in OHNS interest groups.

Conclusions: This review highlights the need for targeted interventions to enhance student exposure to OHNS. While it provides insights into factors influencing career interest, further research is needed to evaluate long-term outcomes, such as OHNS match rates, to better understand the effectiveness of these interventions and inform recommendations to increase OHNS awareness in medical education.