Ep. 171 Workforce Analysis and Why It’s Important with Dr. Andrew J. Tompkins

BackTable ENT

In this episode, hosts Dr. Ashley Agan and Dr. Gopi Shah discuss the ENT workforce with Dr. Andrew (“AJ”) Tompkins, an Ohio-based comprehensive otolaryngologist and member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery’s socioeconomic task force.

---

SYNPOSIS

First, Dr. Tompkins provides an overview of the ENT workforce from trainee to retiree stages. He describes his work with the Academy’s socioeconomic task force, which provides important feedback on the number, location and work environments of practicing otolaryngologists. He emphasizes participation in the Academy’s workforce survey as the source of this data. Offering a sneak preview of 2023 survey results, Dr. Tompkins underscores the need to increase resident exposure to private practice settings and to plan for how treatment breakthroughs (such as the HPV vaccine) might affect future workforce needs. The surgeons finish by discussing necessary improvements in resident selection and continuing education.

---

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

03:09 - Exploring the ENT Workforce: A Provocative Topic

08:09 - Unpacking the Challenges of ENT Workforce Data

22:16 - The Impact of Fellowship Training & Practice Shifts

31:59 - Previewing 2023 Data Insights

37:09 - Addressing Workforce Distribution and Access Issues

43:30 - How Technology & Training Influence the ENT Workforce

56:20 - Collaborations & Future Directions

01:01:24 - Concluding Thoughts on Workforce Dynamics

---

RESOURCES

Dr. Andrew Tompkins’ Ohio ENT & Allergy Profile:

https://www.ohioentandallergy.com/physicians/andrew-tompkins-md-mba/

Triological Society Otolaryngology Workforce Analysis from 2016: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/lary.26238

“The 2022 Otolaryngology Workforce” Report from AAO-HNS:

https://www.entnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2022-Otolaryngology-Workforce.pdf

Tompkins AJ. The Otolaryngology Workforce, Part I: Supply. ENTtoday. May 2022.

https://www.enttoday.org/article/some-studies-predict-a-shortage-of-otolaryngologists-do-the-numbers-support-them/

Tompkins AJ. The Otolaryngology Workforce, Part II: Structure & Rethinking Supply. ENTtoday. June 2022.

https://www.enttoday.org/article/transparent-regular-data-vital-to-reworking-how-we-think-about-workforce-supply/

Tompkins AJ. The Otolaryngology Workforce, Part III: Competition & Future Design. ENTtoday. July 2022.

https://www.enttoday.org/article/tips-for-creating-a-dynamic-otolaryngology-workforce/