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. 2015 Spring;23(1):43-7.
doi: 10.4172/plastic-surgery.1000903.

Exposure to plastic surgery during undergraduate medical training: A single-institution review

Ryan E Austin  1 , Kyle R Wanzel  2
Affiliations

Exposure to plastic surgery during undergraduate medical training: A single-institution review

Ryan E Austin et al. Plast Surg (Oakv). 2015 Spring.

Abstract
in English, French

Background: Applications to surgical residency programs have declined over the past decade. Even highly competitive programs, such as plastic surgery, have begun to witness these effects. Studies have shown that early surgical exposure has a positive influence on career selection.

Objective: To review plastic surgery application trends across Canada, and to further investigate medical student exposure to plastic surgery.

Methods: To examine plastic surgery application trends, national data from the Canadian Resident Matching Service database were analyzed, comparing 2002 to 2007 with 2008 to 2013. To evaluate plastic surgery exposure, a survey of all undergraduate medical students at the University of Toronto (Toronto, Ontario) during the 2012/2013 academic year was conducted.

Results: Comparing 2002 to 2007 and 2008 to 2013, the average number of national plastic surgery training positions nearly doubled, while first-choice applicants decreased by 15.3%. The majority of Canadian academic institutions experienced a decrease in first-choice applicants; 84.7% of survey respondents indicated they had no exposure to plastic surgery during their medical education. Furthermore, 89.7% believed their education had not provided a basic understanding of issues commonly managed by plastic surgeons. The majority of students indicated they receive significantly less plastic surgery teaching than all other surgical subspecialties. More than 44% of students not considering plastic surgery as a career indicated they may be more likely to with increased exposure.

Conclusion: If there is a desire to grow the specialty through future generations, recruiting tactics to foster greater interest in plastic surgery must be altered. The present study suggests increased and earlier exposure for medical students is a potential solution.

Historique: Les candidatures aux programmes de résidence en chirurgie ont diminué depuis dix ans. Même les programmes hautement compétitifs, comme la chirurgie plastique, ont commencé à en ressentir les effets. Les études ont démontré que l’exposition rapide à la chirurgie a une influence positive sur le choix de carrière.

Objectif: Examiner les tendances de candidature en chirurgie plastique au Canada, de même que l’exposition des étudiants en médecine générale à la chirurgie plastique.

Méthodologie: Pour examiner les tendances de candidature en chirurgie plastique, les chercheurs ont analysé les données nationales tirées de la base de données du Service canadien de jumelage des résidents en comparant les données de 2002 à 2007 à celles de 2008 à 2013. Pour évaluer l’exposition à la chirurgie plastique, ils ont sondé tous les étudiants en médecine de premier cycle à l’université de Toronto, en Ontario, pendant l’année universitaire 2012–2013.

Résultats: Si on compare 2002 à 2007 et 2008 à 2013, le nombre moyen de postes nationaux de formation en chirurgie plastique a pratiquement doublé, tandis que le taux de candidats qui en font leur premier choix a diminué de 15,3 %. La majorité des établissements universitaires canadiens ont observé une diminution des candidats qui en font leur premier choix. Ainsi, 84,7 % des répondants au sondage ont indiqué qu’ils n’avaient pas été exposés à la chirurgie plastique pendant leur formation en médecine. De plus, 89,7 % trouvaient que leur formation ne leur permettait pas de comprendre les problèmes de base que gèrent régulièrement les plasticiens. La majorité des étudiants ont indiqué recevoir beaucoup moins d’enseignement en chirurgie plastique que dans toutes les autres surspécialités chirurgicales. Plus de 44 % des étudiants qui n’envisageaient pas faire carrière en chirurgie plastique ont indiqué qu’ils l’envisageraient peut-être davantage s’ils y étaient plus exposés.

Conclusion: Si on veut faire croître la spécialité au sein des prochaines générations, il faudra modifier les tactiques de recrutement pour stimuler l’intérêt envers la chirurgie plastique. D’après la présente étude, l’exposition accrue et plus rapide des étudiants en médecine pourrait faire partie des solutions.

Keywords: Internship and residency; Medical education; Plastic surgery.

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Figures

Figure 1)
Figure 1)
Histogram illustrating the future career paths being considered by University of Toronto (Toronto, Ontario) medical student respondents at the time of the survey (respondents were able to select as many career choices as they desired)
Figure 2)
Figure 2)
University of Toronto (Toronto, Ontario) students’ perceptions of how a career in plastic surgery would meet their needs in a variety of work- and life-related domains
Figure 3)
Figure 3)
Histogram illustrating University of Toronto (Toronto, Ontario) medical students’ perceptions of the amount of formal teaching time dedicated to the surgical specialties compared with plastic surgery
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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