Mapping the young EHNS network: workforce diversity, educational needs, and collaboration interests in head & neck oncology

Porpuse: The Young European Head and Neck Society (Young EHNS) supports early-career professionals in head and neck (H&N) oncology, yet the composition and educational preferences of this network have not been systematically described. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 402 Young EHNS members assessed geographic distribution, subspecialty affiliation, and self-reported interest in nine educational domains using a 5-point Likert scale. Results: Respondents originated predominantly from Spain (26.5%), Portugal (9.2%), Italy (8.8%), and the United Kingdom (7.2%). Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery represented 59.3% of respondents, followed by Medical Oncology (14.1%) and Maxillofacial Surgery (11.4%). The highest-rated educational interests were research collaboration (mean 4.68/5), international case discussions (4.61), and virtual multidisciplinary tumor boards (4.57). Industry-sponsored content received the lowest rating (3.12). Conclusion: This perception-based survey reveals a geographically diverse, surgically anchored but multidisciplinary early-career network with strong preference for interactive, collaborative learning formats. These findings may inform future EHNS educational programming and cross-border collaboration initiatives.