Recent Trends in Resident Career Choices After Plastic Surgery Training

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the initial career choice of plastic surgery residents after completion of training during the last five years and to identify any factors that may influence choice of career path. Demographic data were obtained from graduates of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited US plastic surgery residency programs between the years of 2005 and 2010. The type of practice and pursuit of fellowship were recorded for each graduate. Sex, age at graduation, marital status, dependents, advanced degrees, previous research, type of training program, primary residency, and length of plastic surgery training were also documented. Comparison of outcomes between the two plastic surgery training pathways (integrated vs independent) was analyzed. Data were collected for 424 graduates from 37 different training programs. Of these programs, 11% were from the West coast, 32% from Midwest, 33% from East coast, and 24% from the South. Seventy-nine percent of residents were male, mean age at graduation was 35 (2.89) years. Forty-nine percent of residents were married, 30% had one or more dependents, 6% had advanced degrees, and 18% had previous research experience. Fifty-eight percent of graduates were from independent programs. Forty-eight percent of residents pursued private practice immediately after graduation, 8% pursued academic practice, 41% pursued specialty fellowships, and 3% had military commitments. Most of the residents chose to pursue private practice on completion of residency. Independent residents were significantly more likely to pursue private practice immediately compared to integrated/combined residents. No other factors were significant for practice choice.

Factors Influencing Fellowship Selection, Career Trajectory, and Academic Productivity among Plastic Surgeons

“…However, plastic surgeons graduating from integrated programs were significantly more likely to choose academic careers, consistent with previous reports. 4,5 In addition, the number of publications on entering residency and graduating from residency were both predictive of academic careers. It is possible that academically minded individuals actively pursue their research interests throughout their life, starting as early as medical school.…”

“…The average age of the cohort was 53. 5 Considering attributes before starting residency, 90 surgeons (15.0 percent) were National Collegiate Athletic Association varsity-level athletes, 140 (23.0 percent) were inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society as medical students, and the average respondent had 3.2 publications on entering residency (range, zero to 50). National Collegiate Athletic Association college athletes and older individuals entered plastic surgery residency with significantly fewer publications (p < 0.01 for both).…”

Evaluation of the content and accessibility of microsurgery fellowship program websites

“…A significant number of plastic surgery graduates pursue fellowship training including microsurgery . Results from the present study demonstrate that microsurgery fellowship programs do not maintain comprehensive websites for these applicants.…”

“…Approximately half of all graduating plastic surgery residents seek fellowship training . In choosing where to apply, senior residents gather information from mentors, colleagues, and the Internet .…”

The Public Recognizes Plastic Surgeons as Leading Experts in the Treatment of Congenital Cleft and Craniofacial Anomalies

“…39 Therefore, only a portion of plastics surgeons (mostly ABCCMF members) has been committed to the management of patients with craniofacial deformities. As that the majority of PSs act within the aesthetic side of the specialty, the recognition of PSs as aesthetic surgery specialists can overshadow the role and work of well-trained PSs in broadbased craniofacial care, as previously demonstrated in similar surveys.…”