The rhinology laboratory

Objectives: This study seeks to develop a rhinology lab model and to assess its effectiveness for physicians-in-training. Study Design: We established a rhinology lab at our institution with simple and affordable modification s to our temporal bone lab. Residents attended a seven-part lecture series and received a list of endoscopic and open procedures to perform on compute d tomography (CT)-scanned, vessel-injected cadaver heads. Methods: After 2 years we asked participating residents to rate their lab experience on a 1- to-10 (disagree-agree) scale. Results: Cumulative scores indicated that res idents enthusiastically perceived this additional training as worthwhile (m u=10), while increasing their efficiency (mu=9.5), safety (mu=9.875), and a natomic knowledge (mu=9.875), The lab has opened opportunities for rhinolog y research, as evidence by one resident publication and another project in progress. Survey feedback has helped develop guidelines for instructor part icipation in the lab as well as for assigned reading and independent study. Conclusions: Based on our preliminary experience, we recommend the rhinolo gy lab to all residency programs as an important yet cost-effective means o f maintaining education in step with rapidly changing technologies.