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I find Epstein's response to my concerns over subspecialization to be interesting. Epstein apparently has recently completed his fellowship training, though he does not mention his area of presumed expertise, nor does he mention any of the specifics of his training (program design, surgical experience, research contributions, or case variety), which might lend credence to his argument, "The desire of fellowship-trained otolaryngologists for recognition of their advanced training must not be misconstrued as proprietary in nature."
I, too, am extremely proud of the fact that graduating medical students choose otolaryngology as a specialty because of its prestigious reputation and the quality of care that this specialty expects. I am not aware of anything that allows the conclusion, as Epstein states, "This quest for excellence is, in fact, one of the explanations for the growth in fellowship training on the completion ofresidency," and though I would not deny that it may