Oxford
UK
The 2022 Association of Otolaryngologist in Training (AOT) conference was hosted by the Thames Valley Deanery, Oxford. The two-day conference began with us punting on the beautiful River Cherwell, closely followed by picnicking on the university parks and swiftly onto a tour of the Oxford Artisan gin distillery. This provided a warm welcome to Oxford and set the tone for this renowned conference.
Day two opened with updates from outgoing AOT president Fenella Shelton. The first talk, delivered by paediatric ENT consultant Ciba Paul and paediatric anaesthetic consultant Arnie Choi, reinforced the importance of teamwork in paediatric airway management. Chris Alden then provided top tips from his 30 years in otology. Invaluable talks followed on topics such as how to get core surgical training and ST3 posts, and developing a special interest. The morning closed with ‘How I do it all’. The honourable and honest views of Declan Costello, Victoria Sinclair, Lisa Fraser and Tom Rouke gave delegates inspirational insight into how panelists balance their lives and a surgical career.
Lunch was followed by talks given by specialists such as Penny Lennox who revealed the day-to-day highs and lows of being clinical director at the John Radcliffe Hospital. Attendees were then entertained by FRCS gold medallists Ian Bottrill and Ricky Pal, hearing how the best of the best would answer the most abstract FRCS SAQs. To conclude, Bottrill returned to the stage to present ‘The History of Bone Conduction Hearing’. From history, and into the future, the chair of ENT UK Professor Nirmal Kumar was invited to update us on the new collaboration between ENT UK and AOT, promising enhanced opportunities for ENT trainees nationwide. Finally, AOT elected its future committee and worthy candidates filled their new positions.
On the hottest day of the year so far, AOT boasted an elegant champagne reception which was a gathering of new friends and old. Our delicious three-course meal was paused before dessert to welcome author, writer, comedian and former obstetrics and gynaecology trainee Adam Kay (left). Well known for his book and BBC television series This Is Going to Hurt, sharing comical stories from his time in training, he also reviewed the importance of recognising the level of mental health amongst doctors.
Overall, AOTs success was a tribute to the organisers’ hard work and dedication. Welcoming the new committee, we will travel north for the 2023 conference in Manchester.
Future meeting details: AOT national conference 2023, Manchester, venue and date TBC.
Laura Brennan, Junior clinical fellow in ENT, University Hospitals Bristol, Bristol, UK and Mama Ntiriwa Sekyi-Djan, Junior Clinical Fellow in ENT, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.
