Interview Scores Correlate with Fellow Microsurgical Skill and Performance

Abstract

The results of this study, for the first time, validate the current interview process to correctly select the highest performing and most skilled candidates and support the effectiveness of a 1-year microsurgical fellowship in improving microsurgical skill in all trainees, irrespective of their initial ability. The importance of valuing the relative quality of prior training and experience at selection is also highlighted.

Autologous Breast Reconstruction Trends in the United States

“…Also, an additional year of microsurgery fellowship offers more exposure and training in microsurgery after residency, which will subsequently increase expertise in performing microsurgical reconstruction. Numerous studies have demonstrated that microsurgery fellowships help expediate the learning curve and provide the opportunity for additional training microsurgical reconstruction 31–33 . Therefore, as time progresses with increasing the number of graduated plastic surgeons with microsurgical training as well as fellowship trained microsurgeons, we expect to continue to see an increasing incidence in microsurgical ABR.…”

“…Numerous studies have demonstrated that microsurgery fellowships help expediate the learning curve and provide the opportunity for additional training microsurgical reconstruction. [31][32][33] Therefore, as time progresses with increasing the number of graduated plastic surgeons with microsurgical training as well as fellowship trained microsurgeons, we expect to continue to see an increasing incidence in microsurgical ABR.…”

Microsurgery Training in Plastic Surgery

“…These fellowships typically provide a 1-year training experience and, on average, approximately 110 cases for the year (range, 60–180). 53 – 56 Numerous studies have demonstrated that fellowships help expedite the learning curve. Rather than purely focusing on microsurgery technique, fellowships provide the opportunity for additional training in microsurgical reconstruction.…”

“…Furthermore, fellows with lower initial assessments improved their technical abilities more rapidly, whereas fellows with higher initial assessments made their greatest improvement in speed and efficiency. 53 Microsurgery is a highly technical field where high-volume hands-on training was necessary. 54 On a survey of 26 fellows gauging the average comfort level from 1 to 5 on independently performing a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) free flap, this score rose from 2.7 on the first day of fellowship to 4.8 by the final day.…”