Predictors, Quality Markers, and Economics of Volunteering Internationally: Results from a Comprehensive Survey of American Society of Plastic Surgeons Members

Abstract

International surgical volunteer trips attempt to ease the global burden of surgical disease. The authors' study reports variation in quality of care provided on these trips. Most significantly, the majority of children younger than 5 years were not cared for by a pediatric anesthesiologist, and many plastic surgeons operated outside of their scope of practice.

Philanthropy in Plastic Surgery: Best Practices and Measuring Impact

“…Seventy-three federally tax-exempt groups identified plastic surgery as their primary area of work to the Internal Revenue Service in 2019, and 52 of those organizations said they engaged in clinical and/or educational philanthropy. 3 Six groups identified plastic surgery research as their primary philanthropic focus, seven are foundations that fund charitable clinical plastic surgery work at American hospitals, and 22 of the listings can be attributed to state and other organized societies of plastic surgeons (Fig. 2).…”

“…2 In 2015 alone, at least 137 humanitarian organizations provided reconstructive plastic surgery domestically and abroad. 3 Little is known about the scope and financial impact of plastic surgery philanthropic organizations. Because of this paucity of information, organizations may duplicate their efforts on overlapping goals rather than focusing on opportunities for collaboration.…”

“…2 In 2015 alone, at least 137 humanitarian organizations provided reconstructive plastic surgery domestically and abroad. 3…”

“…Results: Seventy-three federally tax-exempt groups identified plastic surgery as their primary area of work to the Internal Revenue Service in 2019, and 52 of those organizations said they engaged in clinical and/or educational philanthropy. 3 In 2017, a total of $158.5 million was donated to these groups in cash and noncash donations including equipment and time. Analyses of 6 years (2013 to 2018) of tax records from groups that provide plastic surgery clinical, research, or educational philanthropy reveal that government grants provide very little funding for this work.…”

“…Irrespective of a charitable group's focus, philanthropic efforts require the establishment of a nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity for exemption from federal and state taxes, which is critical to bringing in revenue through fundraising. An organization is eligible for tax-exempt status under Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery • September 2021 Internal Revenue Service code 501(c) (3) only if it has specific religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes. Health care organizations accounted for 12.4 percent of 501(c) (3) organizations in 2015, with consistent growth in newly registered nonprofits over the last 10 years.…”