An overview of the initiation, development, performance, and current status of UK interspecialty collaboration in training in head & neck surgery: "The UK Head & Neck Training Interface Fellowships-concept and reality ..."

Responding to the need for consistency and universal surgical training in the field of head & neck surgical oncology, the United Kingdom surgical education bodies (the Royal Colleges of Surgeons) established, through the Joint Committee for Surgical Training (JCST) a series of Training Interface Groups at the turn of the century. The Head & Neck Surgical Oncology Training Interface Group (TIG) established in 1999/2000 had the remit to create specialist training fellowships across specialties active within the field of head and neck surgery (H&N), with free access to all training opportunities & clinical activity in H&N, giving a trainee originating from ear, nose and throat (ENT), oral & maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) or plastic surgery (PS) open license to all clinical settings of all the three parent disciplines, for a period of one year. The first 5 posts commenced in phases during 2004-2005. Recruitment is national and based on merit & performance in validated and standardized national selection processes. Ninety-nine percent successfully completed their fellowships. Many progressed to take full involvement in National Health Service (NHS) Head and Neck Cancer service provision. The fellowships were rated highly by those completing, when sampled. Research productivity was good, and most Fellows continued to provide H&N in a multidisciplinary setting. Take-up of Fellowships by candidates from the 3 parent specialties varied over time. Units hosting a fellowship are quality managed and the trend in participation has fluctuated over the duration of the fellowships. A recent overhaul of the H&N TIG Fellowship curriculum is in progress to encompass the developments, clinical and technical in head and neck oncological practice since the Fellowships were instituted.