Longitudinal Assessment of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Training in the United States: The Effect of Increased ACGME Case Log Minimum Requirements

Abstract

Background: In 2014, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) increased the minimum required aesthetic surgery cases for graduation from plastic surgery residency from 50 to 150. To date, there has been no research into how this has impacted resident aesthetic surgery training focusing on the resident perception.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate resident perception and satisfaction with their aesthetic surgery training before and after the ACGME case log requirement increase to assess its impact on training and comfort level.

Methods: A survey was administered to all graduating senior residents attending the Senior Residents Conference of the ASPS Annual Meeting in 2014 and 2017. The survey evaluated senior resident aesthetic surgery experience and their confidence and satisfaction with their training.

Results: The response rate was 70% in 2014 and 45% in 2017. There was an increase in the number of programs with resident-run cosmetic clinics (14% increase) and designated aesthetic rotations (33% increase) during that time. Resident-run cosmetic clinics were consistently considered the most valuable form of aesthetic training for residents. There also was a substantial increase in the percentage of residents feeling prepared to incorporate aesthetic surgery into their practice after graduation, increasing from 36% to 59% in 2017. The majority of responding residents felt that the ACGME case log requirement increase in 2014 was beneficial for their aesthetic surgery training (68%).

Conclusions: The recent ACGME case log requirement increase for aesthetic surgery training has had a positive effect on resident comfort with aesthetic procedures and their ability to incorporate them into future practice.