Letter from the Editor: ENTtoday 2.0

© University of Kansas Medical Center

Since its inception in 2006, ENTtoday has continued to grow in size and scope. Its circulation is among the highest in otolaryngology, and industry surveys show that our readers rate the newsmagazine as a leading otolaryngology publication for content and enjoyment. From the beginning, ENTtoday has been led by one physician editor-in-chief, Robert Miller, MD. Bob has left a true legacy within the field of otolaryngology, and we wish him well in his retirement. I am honored to have been chosen by the Triological Society to be the next physician editor-in-chief for

ENTtoday. We have built a new editorial board, and together we look forward to incorporating some new ideas into an already successful newsmagazine.

ENTtoday is unique. We are a newsmagazine, different from a journal in that our article ideas are often plucked from today’s news and trends. Freed from the responsibilities of peer review, we have a mission that is different from other otolaryngology publications. We are here not only to inform, but also to challenge, amuse, and entertain.

The way we inform continues to evolve. Technology influences every aspect of our lives and affects how we treat patients, educate learners, conduct business, and perform research. As we move forward, one of our goals is to embrace the power of technology. Infusion of multimedia, greater dedication to social media, and reorganization of our website are all part of the future of ENTtoday. This month, we have a story on lecture-free medical school curricula, made possible by the use of multimedia and buildings equipped with the latest communication and simulation technologies (“No Lecture Required,”).

The influence of social media has made timeliness of information critical to our readership. Day-to-day politics in our country affect us all and bring unique challenges to our roles as otolaryngologists. From the charged dialogue around the Affordable Care Act to the ethics of physician-assisted suicide and stem cell research, there are many important issues that hold specific implications for practicing otolaryngologists. We plan to discuss them in a balanced and transparent manner and will actively work to present diversity in our thoughts and opinions.

© University of Kansas Medical Center

It is with diversity that we can present the many sides to some of our most difficult challenges. The struggle for physician wellness and work–life balance is real, and rates of physician burnout are on the rise. An estimated 50% of practicing otolaryngologists exhibit some form of burnout that manifests as feelings of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization of patients, and/or decreased sense of personal accomplishment. I don’t think many of us could have imagined we would feel this way when we started our journeys as physicians. We think this is an issue critical to otolaryngology and to medicine as a whole, and we will renew our focus on articles that speak to physician wellness, professional development, and mentorship.

Even with the changing times and our desire to evolve to keep pace, we must still remember what has served us well and what our readers have come to depend on. Last year, prior to the editorial search, the Triological Society performed a survey of the readership. The TRIO Best Practice articles, literature reviews, and the “Everyday Ethics” columns were among the most well-liked features. We will continue to offer these favorites while adding a physician voice to them, as we think the ability to absorb the evidence is augmented by the commentary of a thought leader.

We have many goals for ENTtoday and will gradually begin to introduce some new features. In this month’s issue, we conducted an interview with the new executive director for the American Board of Otolaryngology, Brian Nussenbaum, MD. Dr. Nussenbaum will share his thoughts about the ABOto’s role and address some of the issues surrounding maintenance of certification, a controversial topic that we dive into with a story on its evolution in other medical specialties (see “The Controversy Over Maintenance of Certification,”). He has also shared with us his music playlist for the operating room (below), which is something that we will ask of future interviewees. Who knows, there may be a Taylor Swift fan out there.

On behalf of our new editorial board and Wiley partners, I would like to wish all of our readers a happy and prosperous new year. We are excited for this opportunity and invite you to share with us your thoughts and opinions. Please join us on our quest to inform, entertain, challenge, and amuse.

Yours truly,
Alex Chiu, MD