Bowe, Sarah N

ObjectiveTo characterize the geographic distribution of US otolaryngology residents based on geographical population density to determine current status and identify potential opportunities for otolaryngology residency program expansion.MethodsThe locoregional population of otolaryngology residency programs was analyzed (as defined by the US Census) and the number of resident trainees per 100,000 people in each region was calculated. Otolaryngology residency program location was determined by mailing address, and program size was determined by AAMC public data.ResultsThe average metropolitan city in the United States contained 2.07 otolaryngology trainees per 100,000 people. Cities with low trainee numbers per population included Phoenix, AZ (0.20 trainees per 100,000 people); Las Vegas, NV (0.26 per 100,000); Dallas, TX (0.26 per 100,000), Atlanta, GA (0.33 per 100,000); and Miami, FL (0.34 per 100,000). Comparing otolaryngology to other surgical subspecialties demonstrated similar distributions. Metropolitan centers with a population over 1 million without full academic representation in otolaryngology were also identified and included Charlotte, NC; Orlando, FL; Austin, TX; Providence, RI; Jacksonville, FL; Raleigh, NC; and Grand Rapids, MI.ConclusionStrategic residency training program expansion should be considered in cities that exhibit a low trainee to population ratio. Although many factors ultimately determine program expansion or development of new training programs, this study provides substantiated population data describing where expansion could be prioritized.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 133:1600–1605, 2023

ObjectiveTo determine how social media is used in the dissemination of new information within otolaryngology, and to emphasize the importance of standardizing Twitter hashtag use.MethodsBased on the 2019 SCImago journal rankings, the Twitter posts from the accounts of the top three journals covering each otolaryngology subspecialty were reviewed from August 1, 2020 to May 1, 2021. Twitter posts from the primary otolaryngology‐related academic societies were also reviewed during this timeframe. A list of hashtags was generated based on a combination of the most common otolaryngologic procedures and most commonly used hashtags in the social media space. This list was then crowd‐sourced with 10 fellowship‐trained otolaryngologists for each subspecialty.ResultsHashtag use among key stakeholders in the otolaryngology social media space varies considerably. For instance, #HNSCC, #HeadAndNeckSquamousCellCarcinoma, #HeadAndNeckCancer, #HeadAndNeckCancers, #OropharyngealCancer, #OropharynxCancer, #OralCancer, and #OPSCC were all commonly used hashtags to identify posts discussing oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. #HeadAndNeckCancer and #HNSCC were most popular and used in a total of 85 and 65 tweets, respectively. #HeadAndNeckCancer was found alone in 32 out of 85 tweets (38%), whereas #HNSCC was found alone in 27 out of 65 tweets (42%). A standardized hashtag ontology covering all subspecialties within otolaryngology is proposed herein.ConclusionsAdoption of a standardized social media ontology within otolaryngology will improve information dissemination across all key stakeholders. Laryngoscope, 133:1595–1599, 2023