Otolaryngology  
Intended  Learning  Outcomes  (ILOs)  
 
This  document  outlines  the  listed  ILOs  for  Otolaryngology.  This  will  be  examined  in  the  Year  
5  summative  written  examinations.  It  is  important  that  we  impress  upon  you  the  limitation  
of  any  ILOs  in  their  application  to  a  vocational  professional  course  such  as  medicine.  
 
ILOs  may  be  useful  in  providing  a  ‘shopping  list’  of  conditions  that  you  will  be  expected  to  
describe  and  anticipate.  The  depth  and  extent  of  your  knowledge  of  each  condition  will  be  a  
joint  function  of  the  condition’s  frequency  and  its  gravity.  
 
These   ILOs   are   based   on   those   on   the   Student   and   Foundation   Doctors   in   Otolaryngology  
(SFO  UK)  (Website:  http://sfo.entuk.org/services/undergraduate-­‐curriculum)  and  developed  
with   extensive   input   from   ENT   surgeons,   General   Practitioners,   General   Medicine   and  
Emergency  Medicine  physicians  across  the  United  Kingdom  and  reflects  the  Otolaryngology  
conditions  that  you  will  see  in  these  specialties.  
 
Please   use   the   ILOs   to   make   sure   you   are   familiar   with   the   top   presentations,   and   have  
covered  all  common  and  important  conditions.  The  list  does  not  comprise  of  the  entire  coda  
for  successful  medical  practice  but  will  provide  you  with  a  solid  platform  from  which  to  build  
upon.  More  detailed  explanations  and  outlines  will  be  available  in  the  standard  textbooks.  
Any  elucidation  or  expansion  can  be  obtained  there.  
 
Even  more  important  is  the  point  that  ILOs  will  point  you  in  the  correct  direction  to  pass  our  
written  exam,  but  that  this  is  only  part  of  the  story.  Final  exams  function  as  ‘objective  proof’  
for  the  general  public  that  you  have  enough  knowledge  to  function  as  a  doctor.  As  you  will  
see   during   your   time   on   the   wards,   however,   being   a   doctor   requires   much   more   than  
knowledge;  as  well  as  being  able  to  imitate  and  build  on  the  activities  you  witness  in  your  
clinical  placements,  it  is  imperative  that  you  acquire  skills,  behaviours,  specific  attitudes,  and  
commitment  to  your  patients’  well  being.  These  are  well  described  in  GMC  documents  such  
as  Tomorrow’s  Doctors  3,  and  will  be  ‘proved’  not  by  exams,  but  by  our  monitoring  and  the  
feedback  you  receive,  culminating  in  the  portfolio  signed  off  at  the  end  of  the  Preparation  
for  Practice  module.  
 
Good  luck  and  work  hard!  
 
 
 
 
 
 

ENT ILOs Updated Aug 2018 MY 1

  

 
 
Level  Descriptor  
 
This  document  sets  out  the  core  knowledge  expected  at  the  completion  of  Phase  4.  At  the  
completion   of   Preparation   for   Practice   you   will   also   be   expected   to   describe   the   steps  
required   to  provide  immediate  care  for  the  conditions  designated  with  an  asterisk  (*)  in  the  
tables  below.  These  tables  will  also  provide  descriptors  of  the  level  of  knowledge  required  
for   all   of   the   common   and/or   important   surgical   conditions   and   an   outline   of   the   level   of  
knowledge  for  the  common  and/or  important  conditions  within  a  valid  differential  diagnosis.  
These  have  been  graded  level  A,  B  or  C  to  acknowledge  the  joint  function  of  the  conditions  
frequency   and   gravity.   Your   level   of   knowledge   should   continue   to   improve   with   time   in   line  
with  the  principles  of  a  spiral  curriculum.  
 
Level  of  Knowledge  expected  for  Common/Important  presentations  
 
All     ·∙  Interpret  findings  from  history  and  examination  to  
  recognise  the  presentation/s  
·∙  Demonstrate  and  apply  knowledge  of  the  causes  of  the  
presentation/s  to  support  inclusion  in  a  differential  
diagnosis  
·∙  Formulate  a  plan  of  investigation  
 
C   ·∙  Interpret  findings  from  history  and  examination  to  
  recognise  the  condition/s  
·∙  Demonstrate  and  apply  knowledge  of  the  condition/s  
to  support  inclusion  in  a  differential  diagnosis  
 
B   =  C  +  
·∙  Formulate  a  plan  of  investigation  
 
A     =  B  +  
  ·∙  Synthesise  a  full  assessment  of  the  patient’s  problems  
·∙  Define  a  likely  final  diagnosis  
·∙  Formulate  a  plan  for  management  
·∙  Recognise  complications  
·∙  Estimate  prognosis  and  outline  prevention  (where  relevant)  
 
 
 

ENT ILOs Updated Aug 2018 MY 2

  

 
University  of  Glasgow  Otolaryngology  Intended  Learning  Outcomes  (ILOs)  
 
Examination    
Perform  the  following  specific  examinations,  whilst  communicating  appropriately,  obtaining  
appropriate  consent  and  recognising  the  conditions  required  when  conducting  intimate  
examinations    
Learning  Point   GMC  role   Phase  4   Preparation  for    
Otolaryngology   Practice  
Examine  the  oral  cavity   Practitioner   A   *    
and  oropharynx  using  a  
head  torch  and  tongue  
depressor  
Examine  the  nose  using   A   *    
a  head  torch  and  
Thudicum’s  speculum  
Examine  the  neck   A   *    
Examine  the  ear   A   *    
including  the  external  
auditory  meatus  using  
the  otoscope  
Assess  hearing  using   A      
clinical  voice  tests  
Perform  basic  clinical   A   *    
balance  tests  including  
Romberg  and  Hallpike  
tests  
Examine  the  relevant   A   *    
cranial  nerves  
Understand  the   C      
principles  of  flexible  and  
rigid  endoscopy  of  the  
upper  airways.    
 
 
 
Otolaryngology  Emergencies  
Learning  Point   GMC  role   Phase  4   Preparation  for    
Otolaryngology   Practice  
Be  able  to  provide   Practitioner   A   *    
immediate  care  
including  basic  and  
advanced  life  support  
with  appropriate  
referral  to  the  
specialist  in  ENT  
emergencies  
including:  
  Practitioner   A   *    
Airway  obstruction      
 

ENT ILOs Updated Aug 2018 MY 3

  

Resuscitation  of  a   A   *    
patient  with  
tracheostomy  or  
laryngectomy    
Foreign  body  in  the   B   *    
throat  including  bolus  
obstruction    
Foreign  body  in  the   B   *    
ear    
Foreign  body  in  the   A   *    
nose    
Head  and  neck   A   *    
trauma    
Trauma  to  the   A   *    
tympanic  membrane    
Fractured  nose     A   *    
Nasal  septal   A   *    
haematoma    
Epistaxis  including   A   *    
nasal  packing  and  
nasal  cautery  
Pinna  haematoma     A   *    
Soft  tissue  laceration   A   *    
of  the  head  and  neck  
 
 
Otology  
Learning  Point   GMC  role   Phase  4   Preparation  for    
Otolaryngology   Practice  
Be  aware  of  the   Practitioner   A      
structure  and  function  
of  the  normal  ear  with  
particular  reference  
to  the  following:  
a.  Tympanic     A      
membrane    
b.  Middle  ear       A      
c.  Labyrinth       A      
Have  an  awareness  of   A      
how  these  structures  
change  when  affected  
by  disease  and  
understand  how  this  
leads  to  dysfunction  
and  patient  morbidity  
and  mortality    
 
 
 

ENT ILOs Updated Aug 2018 MY 4

  

Otology  –  external  ear  

Understand  the  incidence/prevalence,  clinical  presentations,  management  and  prognosis  of  
the  following  external  ear  conditions  that  present  in  adults:  
Learning  Point   GMC  role   Phase  4   Preparation  for    
Otolaryngology   Practice  
Otitis  externa     Scientist  and   A   *    
  scholar  
Skull  base   Scientist  and   A      
osteomyelitis   scholar  
 
Otology  –  middle  ear  
Learning  Point   GMC  role   Phase  4   Preparation  for    
Otolaryngology   Practice  
Acute  otitis  media     Scientist  and   A   *    
  scholar  
Otitis  media  with   A      
effusion    
Tympanic  membrane   A   *    
perforation  
Chronic  otitis  media   A   *    
including  
cholesteatoma  
Complications  of  otitis   A   *    
media  
Facial  palsy   A   *    
Common  causes  of   A      
conductive  hearing  
loss  including  
otosclerosis    
Grommet  insertion     C      
Mastoidectomy   C      
Myringoplasty/tympa C      
noplasty  
 
Otology  –  inner  ear  
Learning  Point   GMC  role   Phase  4   Preparation  for    
Otolaryngology   Practice  
Benign  Paroxysmal   Practitioner   A      
Positional  Vertigo  
(BPPV)    
 
Perform  Epley   C      
manoeuvre  
Vestibular  neuronitis   A      
Meniere’s  Disease   A      
Vestibular  schwannoma   A      
(acoustic  neuroma)    
 

ENT ILOs Updated Aug 2018 MY 5

  

 
Otology  –  other  
Aware  how  common  ear  disorders  affect  an  individual’s  ability  to  contribute  to  family  life,  
work  and  society  especially  hearing  loss,  lose  of  balance  and  tinnitus.  
Learning  Point   GMC  role   Phase  4   Preparation  for    
Otolaryngology   Practice  
hearing  loss  including   Practitioner   A      
age-­‐related  and  noise-­‐
induced  
Tinnitus   A      
Loss  of  balance   A   *    
Basic  Knowledge  of   C      
different  types  of  
hearing  aid  available  
including  bone  anchored  
hearing  aids  and  
cochlear  implants  
 
Otology  –  Paediatric  
Understand  the  incidence/prevalence,  clinical  presentations,  management  and  prognosis  of  
the  following  ear  conditions  that  present  in  children:  
Learning  Point   GMC  role   Phase  4   Preparation  for    
Otolaryngology   Practice  
Acute  otitis  media     Practitioner   A   *    
 
Otitis  media  with   A      
effusion  
Tympanic  membrane   A   *    
perforation  
Chronic  otitis  media   A   *    
including  cholesteatoma  
Complications  of  otitis   A   *    
media  
Prominent  ears   B      
Neonatal  screening   C      
programme  
Speech  and  Language   C      
development  
 
 
 
 

ENT ILOs Updated Aug 2018 MY 6

  

 
Head  and  Neck    
Learning  Point   GMC  role   Phase  4   Preparation  for    
Otolaryngology   Practice  
Be  aware  of  the  structure   Practitioner        
and  function  of  the  
following  and  have  an  
awareness  of  how  these  
structures  change  when  
affected  by  disease  and  
understand  how  this  
leads  to  dysfunction  and  
patient  morbidity  and  
mortality.  
• Neck     A      
• Thyroid  gland     A      
• Oral  cavity     A      
• Pharynx  and     A      
larynx  
• Salivary  glands     A      
Have  an  awareness  of   C      
how  these  structures  
change  when  affected  by  
disease  and  understand  
how  this  leads  to  
dysfunction  and  patient  
morbidity  and  mortality  
Understand  the  basic   A      
physiological  principles  of  
swallowing  
 
Head  and  Neck  –  Malignant  
Learning  Point   GMC  role   Phase  4   Preparation  for    
Otolaryngology   Practice  
Understand  the   Practitioner   A      
incidence/prevalence,  
clinical  presentations,  
management  and  
prognosis  of  the  
following  malignant  head  
and  neck  conditions  and  
a  basic  understanding  of  
the  modalities  of  
treatment  available  for  
the  treatment  of  head  
and  neck  cancer  is  
required.  
• Carcinoma  of  the   A   *    
larynx  
• Carcinoma  of  the   A      
pharynx  

ENT ILOs Updated Aug 2018 MY 7

  

including  
nasopharyngeal  
carcinoma  
• Carcinoma  of  the   A      
oral  cavity  
• Carcinoma  of  the   A      
oesophagus  
• Cutaneous   A      
malignancy  of  
the  head  and  
neck  eg  
Squamous  cell  
carcinoma,  basal  
cell  carcinoma,  
melanoma  
• Be  aware  that   A      
lymphoma  can  
affect  the  head  
and  neck  region    
Be  aware  of  the  natural   A      
history  of  head  and  neck  
cancer    
Be  aware  of  the  TNM   C      
staging  system  
Be  aware  of  head  and   A   *    
neck  red  flag  symptoms.  
Be  aware  of  the  risk   A      
factors  for  head  and  neck  
cancer  and  what  means  
are  available  for  
preventing  head  and  
neck  cancer.  
Be  aware  of  current  fast-­‐ A      
track  referral  guidance.  
Further  information  can  
be  found  at:    
www.nice.org.uk/niceme
dia/pdf/cg027niceguideli
ne.pdf  
www.scotland.gov.uk/Re
source/Doc/46922/0014
162.pdf    
Understand  the   B      
principles  of  fine  needle  
aspiration  cytology  
Have  a  broad     A   *    
understanding  of  how  to  
manage  acute  airway  
obstruction  
 
 

ENT ILOs Updated Aug 2018 MY 8

  

Head  and  Neck  –  Thyroid  

Understand  the  incidence/prevalence,  clinical  presentations,  management  and  prognosis  of  
the  following  thyroid  conditions  in  adults:  
Learning  Point   GMC  role   Phase  4   Preparation  for    
Otolaryngology   Practice  
Graves  disease   Practitioner   A   *    
Multinodular  goitre   A   *    
Hypo  and   A   *    
hyperthyroidism  
Thyroid  malignancy   A   *    
Thyroiditis   A   *    
Thyroglossal  cyst   A      
 
Head  and  Neck  –  Salivary  
Understand  the  incidence/prevalence,  clinical  presentations,  management  and  prognosis  of  
the  following  salivary  gland  conditions  in  adults:  
Learning  Point   GMC  role   Phase  4   Preparation  for    
Otolaryngology   Practice  
Benign  salivary  gland   Practitioner   A      
tumours  
Malignant  salivary   A      
gland  tumours  
Sialadenitis   A      
Salivary  gland  stones   A      
and  strictures  
 
Head  and  Neck  –  Benign  
Understand  the  incidence/prevalence,  clinical  presentations,  management  and  prognosis  of  
the  following  benign  head  and  neck  conditions  in  adults:  
Learning  Point   GMC  role   Phase  4   Preparation  for    
Otolaryngology   Practice  
Acute  tonsillitis   Practitioner   A   *    
Peritonsillar  abscess   A   *    
and  parapharyngeal  
abscess  
Be  aware  of  the  current   A      
criteria  for  
recommending  
tonsillectomy:    
http://www.sign.ac.uk/
pdf/sign117.pdf    
Epiglottitis  and   A   *    
supraglottitis  
Laryngitis   A      
Pharyngitis   A      
Infectious   A   *    
mononucleosis  
Obstructive  sleep   A      
apnoea  
Acute  laryngeal   A   *    

ENT ILOs Updated Aug 2018 MY 9

  

oedema  
Branchial  cyst   A      
Lesions  of  the  oral   A      
cavity  including  
leukoplakia  
Vocal  cord  paralysis   A   *    
Vocal  cord  nodules  and   A      
polyps  
Pharyngeal  pouch   A      
Be  aware  of  the   A      
importance  of  
laryngopharyngeal  
reflux  in  the  aetiology  
of  diseases  of  the  
pharynx  and  larynx  
 
 
Head  and  Neck  –  Paediatric  
Understand  the  incidence/prevalence,  clinical  presentations,  management  and  prognosis  of  
the  following  head  and  neck  conditions  that  present  in  children:  
Learning  Point   GMC  role   Phase  4   Preparation  for    
Otolaryngology   Practice  
Acute  tonsillitis   Practitioner   A   *    
Epiglottitis   A   *    
Adenoid  hypertrophy   A   *    
Mumps     A      
 
Head  and  Neck  –  Operations  
Have  a  basic  knowledge  of  the  following  head  and  neck  procedures,  operative  sequelae  and  
aftercare.  
Learning  Point   GMC  role   Phase  4   Preparation  for    
Otolaryngology   Practice  
Tonsillectomy   Practitioner   B   *    
Adenoidectomy   B      
Tracheostomy   A   *    
Thyroidectomy   B   *    
Laryngectomy   B   *    
 
Rhinology  -­‐  Adult  
Learning  Point   GMC  role   Phase  4   Preparation  for    
Otolaryngology   Practice  
Structure  and   Practitioner   A      
function  of  the  
external  nose  and  the  
effect  of  disease  
Be  aware  of  the   A      
structure  and  
function  of  the  nasal  
cavity  and  paranasal  
sinuses  and  the  effect  

ENT ILOs Updated Aug 2018 MY 10

  

of  disease  
Understand  the   B      
physiology  of  the  
sense  of  smell  and  
how  this  influences  
the  sense  of  taste.    
Understand  the        
incidence/prevalence,  
clinical  presentations,  
management  and  
prognosis  of  the  
following  sinonasal  
conditions  in  adults:  
• Acute   A   *    
rhinosinusitis  
including  
complications    
• Chronic   A      
rhinosinusitis  
with  and  
without  nasal  
polyps  
• Rhinitis   A      
(allergic  and  
non-­‐allergic)  
• Epistaxis     A   *    
• Atypical  facial   A      
pain    
Have  a  basic        
knowledge  of      
a.  Endoscopic  sinus   C  
surgery  and    
b.  Septoplasty   C  
 
Rhinology  -­‐  Paediatric  
Understand  the  incidence/prevalence,  clinical  presentations,  management  and  prognosis  of  
the  following  sinonasal  conditions  that  present  in  children:  
Learning  Point   GMC  role   Phase  4   Preparation  for    
Otolaryngology   Practice  
Chronic  rhinosinusitis   Practitioner   A      
including  nasal  
allergy  
Epistaxis   A   *    
 
Other  conditions  
Learning  Point   GMC  role   Phase  4   Preparation  for    
Otolaryngology   Practice  
Recognise  the  role  of   Practitioner   A      
incidental  and  
systemic  medical  

ENT ILOs Updated Aug 2018 MY 11

  

conditions  on  
patient’s  ear  nose  and  
throat  system  and  
evaluate  how  these  
conditions  may  
contribute  to  patient’s  
mortality  and  
morbidity.  In  this  
context  the  following  
medical  conditions  
need  special  
considerations:  
• Atopic  disease   Practitioner   A      
with  
particular  
reference  to  
the  nose  
• Autoimmune     A      
conditions  
e.g.  Graves  
disease  
• Systemic     A   *    
inflammatory  
conditions  
e.g.  
granulomatosi
s  with  
polyangitis,  
sarcoidosis  
• Chronic     B      
infective  
conditions  
e.g.  
tuberculosis,  
syphilis  
Have  an  awareness  of     A      
the  common  
syndromes  that  have  
ENT  manifestations  
e.g.  Trisomy  21  
Explain  the  role  of     B      
genetics  
(chromosomal  
defects,  gene  defects,  
gene  polymorphism  
etc)  and  
environmental  factors  
(nutrition,  infections,  
life-­‐style  choices,  
psycho-­‐social  factors,  
socio-­‐economic  e.g.  

ENT ILOs Updated Aug 2018 MY 12

  

occupational)  in  the  

development  of  
common  diseases  of  
the  Ear,  Nose  and  
Throat.  
Evaluate  the   Practitioner   B      
behavioural  and  
psychological  factors  
that  contribute  to  
illness  in  common  
Otorhinological  
conditions  including  
tinnitus,  dizziness,  
globus  pharyngeus  
and  atypical  facial  
pain.  
 
Prescribing  
 
Learning  Point   GMC  role   Phase  4   Preparation  for    
Otolaryngology   Practice  
Demonstrate   Practitioner   A   *    
knowledge  of  drug  
actions,  therapeutics,  
pharmacokinetics,  
drug  side  effects  and  
the  principles  of  safe  
drug  prescription  
during  pregnancy,  
lactation  and  
childhood  for  
medications  relevant  
to  the  ear,  nose  and  
throat.  Particular  
emphasis  should  be  
on  the  following  
medications:    
Steroid  nasal     A   *    
sprays/drops    
Antihistamines       A   *    
Common  oral     A   *    
antibiotics  used  in  
ENT  e.g.  penicillin  and  
macrolides    
Topical  ear  drops       A   *    
 
NOTE:  These  ILOs  are  based  on  those  on  the  Student  and  Foundation  Doctors  in  
Otolaryngology  (SFO  UK)  Website:  http://sfo.entuk.org/services/undergraduate-­‐curriculum  
 
   

ENT ILOs Updated Aug 2018 MY 13