GLOBAL ONLINE FELLOWSHIP (GOLF)
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The Fellowship
There are no current global standards of training, practice and level of care for patients with neoplasms of the Head and Neck. There are significant variations in the quality and levels of care in various geographic locations in the world. The goal of the global online fellowship is to create a program to teach and train young surgeons and test their knowledge and thought processes, through which relative uniformity of knowledge base and judgment are measured and certified for specialists, through online education with continuous updating and monitoring of their knowledge base.
The Fellowship will involve a commitment of 2 years of self learning through a structured course curriculum, with periodic online examinations as the program progresses, until completion. During the course of the Fellowship, the candidates will embark upon a 1 month observership and at the completion of the curriculum appear for an oral examination before an international panel of examiners. Upon successful completion of the oral examination a certificate will be issued recognizing the satisfactory completion of the course curriculum, and passing the examination.
Such certification will ensure that the candidates have acquired an established global standard of core knowledge, and matured their judgment process through self education and successful completion of all examinations.
Candidates who show outstanding perfomance on the Written Examination and final Oral Examination are granted the certificate with Honors. The certificate with Honors may assist in advancement of academic careers.
The International Federation of Head and Neck Oncologic Societies (IFHNOS) has collaborated with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) to develop an On line Fellowship in Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology, known as the Global On Line Fellowship (GOLF). We are happy to report on the number of surgeons throughout the world who have recently graduated or are currently participating in the fellowship.GOLF - GRADUATES
Year # OF REGISTERED
CANDIDATES# WHO TOOK THE
ORAL EXAM# WHO PASSED THE
ORAL EXAM (%)# WHO PASSED THE
ORAL EXAM WITH HONORS2014 98 N/A N/A N/A 2015 78 N/A N/A N/A 2016 74 93 89 (96%) 0 2017 41 66 57 (86%) 3 2018 42 63 55 (87%) 9 2019 48 25 23 (92%) 3 Candidates for the fellowship come from 45 countries, including the United States, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, India, China, Russia, Spain, Australia, and many others. The locations of the origin of the GOLF candidate are shown in Fig.1., which shows the global appeal of the GOLF program.
Twenty experts serve on the written examination committee, which develops the quarterly multiple choice examination questions. Thirty senior leaders in Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology participated in the oral examination of the fellowship, excluding traveling faculty and several others.
GOLF is open to board-qualified surgeons in their home country, anywhere in the world. The course of study requires self-learning through a structured course curriculum developed by an international committee of surgeons, and oncologists, including those from MSK, with quarterly online exams. During the fellowship, candidates are also required to complete a one month observership at one of the 35 approved observership sites around the globe followed by an oral examination before an international panel. Upon successful completion of the program, the fellow receives a certificate in head and neck surgery and oncology.
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Course Curriculum
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Time Line
Applications Open March 1 Applications Close September 5 Notification of Acceptance September 20 Program Begins October 1
20 Month Text Learning and video watching
of Specific Topics7 Quarterly Written Online Exams 1 Month Observership at an Approved Site
(to be completed at any point during the Fellowship.)
For a list of Mentors and approved sites please visit
http://www.ifhnos.netOral Examinations on zoom on line October / November
Upon Successful Completion
Global Online Fellowship in
Head & Neck Surgery and Oncology
Certificate issued by IFHNOSExamination Dates for 2022 - 2023
Written - Online (All must be completed) January 7, 2022 April 8, 2022 July 15, 2022 October 14, 2022 January 6, 2023 April 14, 2023 July 14, 2023 Oral -Examination October / November, 2023
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Requirements
Applicants must have
- A minimum of four years of surgical training following completion of medical school and Board certification (or equivalent) in the specialty of general surgery, otolaryngology or plastic surgery, in their home country.
- Current engagement in Head and Neck Surgery training or practice.
- Certification and letter of support from the Head of the institution where the candidate conducts his/her clinical activities indicating a commitment by the candidate to the specialty of head and neck surgery and oncology, and current nature and tenure of employment.
- A complete list of operative procedures performed during the preceding year showing a significant proportion (over 50%) of head and neck cancer/tumor cases, where the candidate was either the operating surgeon or first assistant.
- Personal statement indicating commitment by the candidate to complete the Fellowship and future career goals to utilize the knowledge gained through this Fellowship.
The applicant must possess basic knowledge and skills for management of cancers of the oral cavity, larynx, pharynx, para nasal sinus, skull base, salivary gland, thyroid, parathyroid, cutaneous cancers, soft tissue and bone tumors, and allied conditions. In addition, exposure to and training in Diagnostic Radiology, Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Endocrinology and Pathology is required. The applicant should also be familiar with the management of patients with major surgery, including metabolism, shock, haemorrhage, sepsis, cardio pulmonary disease, renal and gastro intestinal disorders related to head and neck tumours.
The fellowship involves a commitment of 2 years of self learning through a structured course curriculum, with periodic online examinations as the program progresses, until completion. It also requires a One month ‘Observership’, at a center of excellence in H&N Surgery. GOLF is not a degree or certification for practice of Head Neck Surgery and Oncology in your country. It is a tool to strengthen the judgment and skills of Head Neck surgeons and harmonize Head and Neck Oncology practice worldwide.
The current version of GOLF is not designed for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons whose educational and training curricula and licensing of surgical practice is limited to only some of the topics mentioned above. However, some Maxillofacial surgeons with double degree (Dental and Medical), may be eligible to meet with the requirements as stated above.
Application
To apply, please complete the Global Online Fellowship in H&N Surgery and Oncology Application by clicking here and submit, along with the required supporting materials, Curriculum Vitae and non-refundable US $100 application processing fee to info@ifhnos.net
Fees Application Processing Fee: (non-refundable) USD $100 Course Curriculum & Examination Fee: USD $2,500 The Course Curriculum and examination fees may be paid at one time or in 2 installments of USD $1,250 with the following due dates: December 15, 2021 December 15, 2022
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Approved Observership Sites
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International Board Of Directors
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Examination Committee (2019-2022)
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GOLF - Graduates
