Development of “Explore Plastic Surgery”

Abstract

Background Medical students who attend institutions without plastic surgery residency programs are at a disadvantage in the plastic surgery match. We developed an educational program for medical students without home programs called Explore Plastic Surgery to provide an overview of the steps toward a career in plastic surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact, utility, and success of the novel program. Methods Pre- and postevent surveys were distributed to participants. Survey data were analyzed including participant demographics, perceptions of barriers unique to those without home programs, and the overall event utility. Results Two hundred seventeen students registered for the program. Ninety-five participants completed the pre-event survey (44%), and of those, 57 participants completed the post-event survey (60%). There was an increase in understanding of the steps toward a career in plastic surgery (P < 0.001), confidence in overcoming barriers (P = 0.005), and level of comfort in reaching out to faculty for opportunities (P = 0.01). There was a decrease in the perceived negative impact that attending medical schools without a home program will have on their abilities to pursue careers in plastic surgery (P = 0.006). Conclusions After the event, participants demonstrated an increase in their confidence in overcoming barriers and a decrease in their perceptions that attending an institution without a home program would negatively impact their ability to pursue plastic surgery. Initiatives focused on early exposure and recruitment of medical students may be important to promote accessibility and diversity within plastic surgery.