TIME FOR SUB-SPECIALIST TRAINING OF MANPOWER FOR OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY PRACTICE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The general Otorhinolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon is the expert in the art and science of the medicine and surgery of these anatomic 
regions. He trained to be both a physician and surgeon at same time. Those who pioneered Otorhinolaryngology manpower training locally 
in Nigeria in the 1980s were products of the British Otorhinolaryngology training of the 20th century.
Otorhinolaryngologists have associate professionals such as Otorhinolaryngology Specialist Nurse Practitioners, Speech Therapists, and 
Audiologists who work most often with them and may have overlapping responsibility of care. Should Nigeria embark on sub-specialty 
manpower trainings in Otorhinolaryngology (ORL) at this time in our country’s level of ORL development? 
We need to train sub-specialists in ORL practice but NOT to the detriment of General Otorhinolaryngology. We still have many underserved 
populations. The sub-specialty manpower development for ORL practice must recognize our peculiar setting of multiplicity of training needs 
including associate professionals. The training of manpower should have an innovative approach that emphasis the patient, teamwork and 
aware of social determinants of health and the national strategic health plans. The training should be such that the super specialist should 
still be able to practice general Otorhinolaryngology in addition to the sub-specialty