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| IFOS Report 1997 Paper on Basic Phoniatric Education in the frame of ENT Training Programs (R. T. Sataloff) "Phoniatrics" does not exist in North America. However, in the past few years, substantial advances have been made. “Voice” is established as a subspecialty of otolaryngology. Criteria for fellowship programs are under debate. The Speech, Voice and Swallowing Committee of the American Academy of otolaryngology has prepared a document offering guidelines for residency directors, specifying a comprehensive list of materials that should be part of every training program curriculum. Collaboration is close between otolaryngologists and speech-language pathologists, and the field of speech-language pathology has also developed an active subspecialty group in voice. Most academic otolaryngology programs are making an effort to teach voice to the best of their abilities, and many are actively seeking faculty with expertise in voice care. Unfortunately, there are not enough experienced laryngologists to fill the academic need, yet. Otolaryngologists’ involvement in the evaluation and treatment of swallowing disorders varies. In many academic programs and some private practices, the otolaryngologist is primarily responsible for swallowing teams. In other institutions, swallowing disorders are managed by gastroenterologists, speech-language pathologists, and others. The American Academy of Otolaryngology, through the voice, Speech and Swallowing Committee, is actively working to incorporate swallowing management into all training programs. Language disorders are generally not included as part of an otolaryngology program and are referred for management to speech-language pathologists. There is growing and active interest among otolaryngologists in phoniatric fields as evidenced not only by the changes detailed above, bur also by active involvement by otolaryngologists in voice-related meetings of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, The Voice Foundation, and other organizations. The situation in Canada is similar, but voice training is still somewhat less advanced and less widespread than it is in the United States. |
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