Update on expert certificates : Additional structural features and modification "Head and Neck Surgical Oncology" as well as new initiative "Paranasal Sinus and Skull Base Surgery"

The German Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (DGHNO-KHC) and the German ORL Academy (DAHNO), in cooperation with the relevant working groups, have developed expert certificates for the field of "Head and Neck Surgical Oncology" and now also for "Paranasal Sinus and Skull Base Surgery". The aim is to document the applicants' expertise in the respective subfield, in line with international standards. For the "Head and Neck Surgical Oncology" certification, the qualification criterion "activity in a head and neck tumor center certified by the German Cancer Society (DKG)" was supplemented by the criterion "or comparable institution (structural features: regular interdisciplinary case conference and collaboration with main cooperation partners with defined treatment pathways)" and modified with regard to further training or participation in studies. For the expert certificate "Paranasal Sinus and (Anterior) Skull Base Surgery," criteria for a corresponding logbook were developed in collaboration with the Working Group for Rhinology/Rhinosurgery (ARHIN) and the Working Group for Skull Base and Craniofacial Surgery (ASKRA). These certificates can be used to demonstrate individual expertise. Practical implementation is carried out by an independent certification institute (ClarCert GmbH) on behalf of the DGHNO-KHC and in cooperation with DAHNO and the respective working groups. Applications for the aforementioned expert certificates can now be submitted by members of the DGHNO-KHC or the DAHNO. Further expert certificates are in preparation.