Otobase Introduction

The AHNS database committee is initiating an effort to set the stage for collaborative multi-institutional studies among members of the society. As you know, the AHNS has endorsed “Otobase”, a clinical information database that was developed by Dr. Marc Coltrera, and is currently being used by many of you. This database provides an excellent opportunity for society members to share their experience and answer critical clinical questions, which cannot be answered by the experience of any single institution alone. We are excited about the potential that the AHNS has in achieving this critical and long overdue task.

We are inviting you to participate in this exciting project. A simple questionnaire is attached to solicit your interest in one or more of suggested initial study focus areas. You can also suggest different area(s) that you may be interested in studying. Once we have your responses, the AHNS database committee will coordinate study “groups” or teams. The database committee will also assist these groups of collaborators in coordinating study design, data collection and reporting, and several regulatory issues such as IRB submissions, HIPAA regulations, authorship, etc.

We look forward to your participation in this research effort that will not only advance our specialty, but also improve the care we provide to our patients. We welcome any suggestions or input you have and look forward to collaborating with you.

Ehab Hanna, MD, FACS
Chair, AHNS Database Committee