6-9 year programme              Janaury or July

The programme consists of two parts and the course of study is a minimum of six years and a maximum of nine (9) years - Part I has a maximum of 3.5 years and Part II a maximum of 5.5 years. The programme takes place either at the University Hospital of the West Indies or at institutions in the contributing territories recognized by the University for this purpose. 

Part I - Two years

A maximum of six months may be spent in the Basic Medical Sciences Department of the University of the West Indies (Unit of Anatomy, Biochemistry or Physiology), the Department of Pathology in Port of Spain General Hospital, San Fernando or Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in an approved research project provided that prior approval for the research project has been obtained from the Speciality Board in Surgery. Provided the in-course assessments are satisfactory, the Part I examination is taken at the end of two years. During the Part I of the Programme, the trainees will do eight three month rotations:

I. The trainees will rotate through ORL for a maximum of four rotations and a minimum of two rotations

II. The other rotations may be through any of the following: General Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, Critical Care Medicine, Emergency Medicine and OralMaxillofacial Surgery or any other rotation approved by the Programme Director. Each trainee will be assessed at the end of each rotation

Part II – Four years

• The Part II of the programme occupies four (4) years. During this period, students are assigned to ORL rotations with increasing levels of responsibility.
• An elective period in ORL in the penultimate year must be spent at a recognised institution in or out of the Caribbean provided prior approval is obtained from the speciality board in surgery. The approval must be obtained at least six months prior to the commencement of the Elective period. 
• Institutions may be recognized for part or all of the training programme. The speciality Board of Surgery will keep a list of approved institutions and appointments for the guidance of candidates. This list will be updated from time to time as necessary. 
• At least nine (9) months before the final Part II examination the trainee must submit:

i. A clinical research project

ii. A casebook of ten (10) cases with commentaries

• Both of these must accepted by the Board of Examiners before the trainee is eligible to do the Part II Examination. Trainees must have reached a satisfactory standard during in-course assessments (as determined by the Programme Director) before being allowed to enter for the Part II examination. 
• Before being admitted to the Part II examination, all trainees must submit a tabulation of all procedures performed by them and certified by the respective supervisor during each rotation. 
• Each trainee may have a total six (6) weeks leave per annum – no more than three (3) weeks every six (6) months. 

Assessment

Part I

• Each trainee will be assessed by the Programme Director at the end of each rotation and must achieve a satisfactory assessment in each rotation in order to progress. If the trainee does not achieve a satisfactory assessment he/she may be asked to repeat the rotation.
• Once satisfactory assessments are gained in each rotation the trainee will be allowed to sit the Part I examination at the end of two (2) years. If the trainee has not been able to gain satisfactory assessments for all rotations after (3) years, the trainee will be asked to withdraw from the programme. 
• Any trainee who fails the Part I Examination may repeat the exam in six (6) months. 
• Any trainee failing the Part I examination on three (3) occasions will be asked to withdraw from the programme

Part II

• The final year of the Part II programme must be spent at a UWI recognized hospital.
• Each trainee will be assessed at the end of each rotation by the Programme director and must achieve a satisfactory assessment in each rotation to progress. If the trainee does not achieve a satisfactory assessment he/she may be asked to repeat the rotation.
• Trainees will be eligible to sit the Part II examination in four (4) years but not greater that five (5) years after successful completion of the Part I examination. 
• Only two (2) attempts at the Part II examination are allowed. 
• The Part II examination must be completed within one (1) calendar year of the first attempt.