Factors That Affect Medical Students' Perception and Impression of a Plastic Surgery Program: The Role of Elective Rotations and Interviews

Medical Students Understanding of The Scope of Plastic Surgery

Background  Plastic surgery has developed to benefit in a variety of challenging areas formerly handled by other disciplines. Medical students do not have a clear picture of plastic surgery as a career due to lacking scope, clinical practice, and understanding of plastic surgery as a clinical area of expertise, including general practitioners, nursing staff, medical trainees, and the general public, and misconceptions about the extent of reconstructive and plastic surgery. Methods  A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on Kuwait University Medical students (2nd-7th Years) over a period of 1 month. A questionnaire and a consent form were provided to eligible students. The inclusion criteria were Kuwait University Medical students from 2nd to 7th Years with signed consent form. The response was collected via email sent in coordination with the Vice Dean of Student Affairs in the Faculty of Medicine. Using statistical package for the social sciences, responses were statistically analyzed. Pearson's chi-square test was used to calculate p -values, where p  < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results  A total of 244 eligible medical students, 121 males and 123 females, were included in the study, with a mean age of 21 (±2) years. Similarly, 126 (51.6%) were preclinical students (2nd-4th-year students), while 118 (48.4%) were clinical students (5th-7th-year students). About 79.8% of medical students believed that plastic surgery plays an essential role in trauma management, whereas 9.2% did not consider plastic surgery significant for trauma management. This study found that only 15.5% of medical students were interested in enrolling in plastic surgery residency after graduation, while 47.1% of students did not consider plastic surgery residency after graduation. However, 37.4% were uncertain. The two most driving factors in deciding on plastic surgery residency were expected income (61.8%) and lifestyle (14.3%). Conclusion  Improving medical students' education quality can enhance their perception and awareness of plastic surgery. Students should be taught the broader scope of plastic surgery. The inclusion of formal training during undergraduation is the essence of time and should be added to or improved during plastic surgery rotations with more emphasis on reconstructive and hand/peripheral nerve surgery. Student-led interest groups can be a useful tool for educating students about their specialty.

Impact of Virtual Interviews on Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship Match: An Analysis of National Data

Background

Internal Medicine residents have historically expressed hesitancy in pursuing a career in pulmonary and critical care medicine (PCCM). However, recent studies have demonstrated newfound competitiveness. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global outbreak prompted the implementation of a virtual interviewing model for PCCM fellowship match. The effect of this new paradigm on PCCM match results has not been studied previously.

Objective

With the shift to virtual interviewing, we aim to determine how this new method of interviewing may influence the selection of candidates for fellowship training programs.

Methods

We acquired data of 4,333 applicants ranking PCCM for the years 2017-2021 from the National Resident Matching Program and the Electronic Residency Application Service websites for the years 2017-2021. Chi-square (χ2) analysis of the applicants' demographics and the percentage of applicants matching at their first choice versus those who matched at lower than their third-choice program before and after the implementation of virtual interviews season was performed.

Results

The matching probability for the U.S. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine significantly increased after the implementation of virtual interviews compared with the years 2017-2020 (χ2 = 8.569; P = 0.003). The matching probability remained unchanged for U.S. Doctors of Medicine (χ2 = 2.448; P = 0.118). Overall, an applicant's probability of matching at their first choice has significantly decreased after the virtual interview format (χ2 = 4.14; P = 0.04). Conversely, the probability of matching at a program that is lower than the third choice has significantly increased (χ2 = 11.039; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our study provides evidence regarding the effect of the virtual interview format on PCCM match results. Strikingly, applicants are more likely to match at lower-ranked programs in their rank list after the implementation of the virtual interview process. These results can be helpful for both programs and applicants, to guide their future expectations and decisions while going through the interview process.

Evaluating Diversity Promotion on Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Program Websites and Instagram Accounts

BACKGROUND

Medical students applying to residency, including those from underrepresented groups, strongly value cultural fit and program diversity. Program websites and social media are thus an influential information source for prospective applicants and recruitment tool for residencies. We evaluated whether and how integrated plastic surgery residency program websites and social media display commitments to diversity online.

METHODS

We evaluated program websites for 8 predetermined diversity elements, (1) nondiscrimination and (2) diversity statements, (3) community resources, (4) faculty and (5) resident biographies, (6) faculty and (7) resident photographs, and (8) resident resources, and assessed Instagram accounts for diversity-related images, captions, and hashtags. Our analysis used Mann-Whitney U , chi-squared, and t tests; significance level was P < 0.05.

RESULTS

We reviewed 82 program websites with a mean of 3.4 ± 1.4 diversity elements. Resident (n = 76, 92.7%) and faculty photographs (n = 65, 79.3%) and resident biographies (n = 43, 52.4%) were the most common. Seventy programs (85.4%) had Instagram accounts, the majority of which (n = 41, 58.6%) shared content related to diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, and/or sexual orientation. Programs located in smaller cities were more likely to have ≥4 website diversity elements ( P = 0.014) and mention diversity on Instagram ( P = 0.0037). Programs with women chairs/chiefs were more likely to mention diversity on Instagram ( P = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

In the age of virtual recruitment, program websites and social media should provide sufficient information, described in our diversity element checklist, to help prospective applicants determine fit from a diversity perspective. Residents, who often contribute to program social media, and women chairs/chiefs may be critical to driving diversity promotion.

A cost analysis of medical students applying to neurological surgery residency: An analysis of the Texas STAR database

INTRODUCTION

Medical Students applying to neurosurgery residency programs incur substantial costs associated with interviews, away rotations, and application fees. However, few studies have compared expenses prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study evaluates the financial impact of COVID-19 on the neurosurgery residency application and identifies strategies that may alleviate the financial burden of prospective neurosurgery residents.

METHODS

The TEXAS STAR database was surveyed for applicants of neurosurgical residency programs during the COVID-19 pandemic (2021) and post-pandemic (2022). 66 applicants for the 2021 application cycle and 50 applicants for the 2022 application cycle completed the survey. We compared application fees, away rotations cost, interview cost, and total expenses as reported by the neurosurgery applicants of the 2021 and 2022 application cycle. A Shapiro-Wilk test was used to test for data normality, and a Mann-Whitney U-Test was used to compare costs during the 2021 and 2022 neurosurgery application cycle.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant reduction in total expenses in 2021 vs 2022 ($3,934 vs $9,860). Interview and away rotation expenses decreased in 2021 vs 2022 (interview expenses $786 vs $4511, away rotation $1,083 vs $3,000, p < 0.001). Application fee expenses were not different between 2021 and 2022. The greatest reduction in application cost ($11,908) was seen in the South for 2021.

CONCLUSIONS

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced total fees associated with the neurosurgical residency application. Virtual platforms in place of in-person interviews could lessen the financial burden on applicants and alleviate socioeconomic barriers in the neurosurgical application process after COVID-19.

The Impact of Social Media on Applicants' Perceptions of Plastic Surgery Training Programs

OBJECTIVE

Given recent COVID-19 restrictions on in-person visiting subinternships and interviews, this study sought to evaluate the program information that was most influential to future plastic surgery applicants as they researched residency programs on social media.

DESIGN AND SETTING

An electronic survey targeting medical students interested in plastic surgery was deployed to assess the importance of various information sources in forming perceptions of residency programs. Applicants were invited to participate through an Instagram "Story" (where the survey was embedded) and through an electronic survey link sent via email to interested program applicants and interviewees.

PARTICIPANTS AND RESULTS

There were 83 respondents, among which 92% were current medical students planning to apply to Plastic Surgery. The most utilized resources that informed program interest were: mentors (86%), peers/partners (60%), and geographic location preference (55%). Among social media content, applicants most desired posts about resident life (66%) and team bonding activities (61%). Overall, 72% of respondents agreed/strongly agreed that social media played a role in informing their interest to apply to a specific residency program.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrated that prospective plastic surgery applicants expect programs to have a social media presence, and thus, programs should invest time and thought in their social media strategy. While electronic sources are not the most important sources of information rated among applicants, social media plays an influential role in guiding interest in specific programs. To best inform applicant perspectives during the recruiting process, programs should prioritize content that gives a picture of "resident life" and team dynamics.

How Consistent are International Rotations Between Plastic Surgery Training Programs?

Institutional partnerships between plastic surgery residency programs in the United States and providers in low- and middle-income countries can serve as bilateral and longitudinal capacity-building relationships. In the United States, obtaining approval for international rotations by a home institution and national review committee is highly encouraged but not required before resident international engagement. Acquiring approval at the institutional level is the first step to allow trainees to participate in international rotations on elective time rather than on vacation time. National approval through the American Council of Graduate Medical Education and American Board of Plastic Surgery allows cases to count toward the resident's yearly case log.

Methods

All 101 integrated and independent plastic surgery program directors/coordinators were asked to participate. The survey identified the requirements and details of existing international rotations.

Results

In total, 57 programs responded (56% response rate) to the survey. An estimated 54% of all programs offered international rotations to their residents, and 94% of these programs obtained institutional approval. Additionally, 69% of these programs have received national approval.

Conclusions

Institutional requirements for programs to provide international rotations vary significantly across institutions, which results in disparate experiences for residents and poses potential risks to international partners. This study will help promote transparency regarding international rotation requirements and better equip faculty to enhance international rotations that cater to the needs of the institution, residents, and most importantly, the host countries.

A novel use of an artificially intelligent Chatbot and a live, synchronous virtual question-and answer session for fellowship recruitment

INTRODUCTION

Academic departments universally communicate information about their programs using static websites. In addition to websites, some programs have even ventured out into social media (SM). These bidirectional forms of SM interaction show great promise; even hosting a live Question and Answer (Q&A) session has the potential for program branding. Artificial Intelligence (AI) usage in the form of a chatbot has expanded on websites and in SM. The potential use of chatbots, for the purposes of trainee recruitment, is novel and underutilized. With this pilot study, we aimed to answer the question; can the use of an Artificially Intelligent Chatbot and a Virtual Question-and-Answer Session aid in recruitment in a Post-COVID-19 era?

METHODS

We held three structured Question-and-Answer Sessions over a period of 2 weeks. This preliminary study was performed after completion of the three Q&A sessions, in March-May, 2021. All 258 applicants to the pain fellowship program were invited via email to participate in the survey after attending one of the Q&A sessions. A 16-item survey assessing participants' perception of the chatbot was administered.

RESULTS

Forty-eight pain fellowship applicants completed the survey, for an average response rate of 18.6%. In all, 35 (73%) of survey respondents had used the website chatbot, and 84% indicated that it had found them the information they were seeking.

CONCLUSION

We employed an artificially intelligent chatbot on the department website to engage in a bidirectional exchange with users to adapt to changes brought on by the pandemic. SM engagement via chatbot and Q&A sessions can leave a favorable impression and improve the perception of a program.

Mentorship is Critical: An Analysis of the 2022 Plastic Surgery Match

BACKGROUND

As the second cycle impacted by COVID-19, the 2022 Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS) Match maintained virtual interviews while offering a modest lift of subinternship restrictions. The residency application process continues to evolve, with changes such as pass/fail United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 reporting prompting programs to reconsider metrics of applicant success. It is critical to address the impact of board scores, mentorship, and resource availability on a diverse applicant population in the PRS Match.

METHODS

A survey was electronically administered to students applying to a single institutional PRS residency program. The survey inquired about demographics, application statistics, mentorship experience, and match outcomes. Logistic regressions were modeled to assess for odds of matching into plastic surgery.

RESULTS

In total, 151 responses were analyzed, a 49.7% response rate. Most participants were female (52.3%), White (68.9%), and not Hispanic/Latino (84.8%). The largest percentage of respondents had a faculty mentor only from their home institution (55.0%) and a resident mentor from only their home institution (32.3%). Participants with a faculty mentor from both a home and outside institution had 7.4 times the odds of matching into PRS (P = 0.02) than students with no faculty mentorship. Students with dual-institution resident mentorship had 18.5 times higher the odds of matching compared with students with no resident mentorship (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Subjective metrics, rather than objective scores, had the most influence on successfully matching into plastic surgery. As the PRS Match continues to become increasingly competitive, it behooves programs to provide equitable access to resources such as mentorship.

General Surgery Residency Virtual Recruitment During the Pandemic: An Analysis of Applicant Surveys

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic forced a sudden change from in-person to virtual interviews for the general surgery residency match. General surgery programs and applicants adopted multiple strategies to best mimic in-person recruitment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate applicant opinions of the virtual recruitment format.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Postinterview survey responses for applicants interviewing at a single general surgery residency program in the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 cycles were evaluated. All interviewed applicants were sent an anonymous survey assessing the virtual interview structure, their impression of the program, and their opinions on recruitment in the future.

RESULTS

The response rate was 31.2% (n = 60). Most (88.4%) respondents reported a more favorable view of the program after a virtual interview. Factors that were most likely to create a favorable impression were residents (89.6%) and culture (81.0%). 50.8% of applicants favored virtual-only interviews. The majority of applicants (60.3%), however, preferred the virtual interview remain a component of the application process, 34.4% recommended that virtual interviews be used as an initial screen before in-person invites, while 19.0% suggested applicants should interview in-person or virtually without penalty. 62.1% favored capping the number of interviews offered by programs and accepted by applicants.

CONCLUSIONS

The virtual interview format for general surgery residency allows applicants to effectively evaluate a residency program. Applicants are in favor of a combination of virtual and in-person interviews in the future. Innovation in the recruitment process, including limiting the number of applications and incorporating virtual events, is supported by applicants.

Perception of the Virtual Interview Format in Hand Surgery Fellowship Applicants

PURPOSE

The Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic occurred during the interview period for numerous surgical fellowships, resulting in most programs transitioning to a virtual interview format during the 2020-2021 application cycle. This study investigated modifications adopted by fellowship programs and perceptions of the virtual interview format among hand surgery fellowship applicants.

METHODS

Voluntary, anonymous online surveys were emailed to all applicants to the Johns Hopkins hand surgery fellowship during the 2020-2021 interview cycle. The surveys were released after the rank order list certification deadline on May 6, 2021, and closed on May 18, 2021, before the match results were released. Descriptive statistics based on the overall cohort and primary outcome of an applicant's willingness to recommend virtual interviews in the future were conducted.

RESULTS

Thirty-four of 112 (30.4%) applicants completed their surveys. Twenty-seven (79.4%) survey respondents recommended the virtual interview format in the future and 7 (20.6%) did not. Applicants who recommended virtual interviews were similar to those who did not on the basis of the number of interviews received and taken, information provided by programs, and self-rated competency with the virtual interview format. Those who recommended virtual interviews rated the effectiveness of self-advocacy higher compared with those who did not. All respondents agreed that cost savings and scheduling were more effective with virtual interviews. Perceived weaknesses differed between the 2 groups and included the lack of physical tour, difficulty with self-advocacy, and technical difficulties. The majority of survey respondents preferred in-person interviews before the interview cycle (n = 32, 94.1%), whereas nearly half of survey respondents preferred virtual interviews after the interview cycle (n = 16, 47.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly 80% of survey respondents recommended virtual interviews in the future. Major benefits included effectiveness of scheduling and cost savings.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Virtual interviews may be considered as an alternative or adjunct to in-person hand surgery fellowship interviews in the future.

Differences in Applicant Perceptions of Virtual Interviews Between Integrated Plastic Surgery and Subspecialty Fellowship Applicants

OBJECTIVE

We aim to survey and compare integrated plastic surgery and plastic surgery subspecialty fellowship applicants on their experiences with virtual interviews and to determine if there are differences between them.

DESIGN

An IRB-approved survey study was conducted using the Qualtrics platform.

SETTING

The study was conducted at the Johns Hopkins University and the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore Maryland.

PARTICIPANTS

Applicants that applied to 1) the Johns Hopkins/University of Maryland or the University of California San Diego integrated plastic surgery residency programs, 2) craniofacial surgery fellowship, and 3) microsurgery, hand surgery, or burn surgery fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University were selected to participate in the survey.

RESULTS

A total of 94 surveys were completed by residency applicants and 55 by fellowship applicants. After the interview season, 80% of fellowship applicants recommended virtual interviews compared to 61.7% of residency applicants (p = 0.03). Fellowship applicants reported significantly less issues with self-advocacy and did not view the virtual interview process as significant of a detriment when meeting program residents/staff, viewing the hospital/surrounding area, and learning about the program (p < 0.05). A higher percentage of fellowship applicants interviewed at multiple programs during a single day compared to residency applicants (56.4% vs 27.7%; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A higher proportion of fellowship applicants prefer virtual interviews, which associated with key differences in perceptions, expectations, and priorities. Our data supports that fellowship programs may wish to continue virtual interviews even after COVID-related restrictions are lifted, because fellows are equally able to self-advocate in a virtual format while benefiting from cost and time savings; fellowship programs would also gain the cost and time savings from this model as well.

Impact of Virtual Interviewing on Geographic Placement for Cardiology Fellowship Recruitment

Background Virtual interviewing for cardiology fellowship was instituted in the 2021 fellowship application cycle because of the COVID-19 pandemic and restricted travel. The impact on geographic patterns of fellow-training program matching is unknown. This study sought to determine if there was a difference in geographic placement of matched fellows for cardiology fellowship match after initiation of virtual interviews compared with in-person interviewing. Methods and Results All US-based accredited cardiovascular disease fellowship programs that participated in the 2019 to 2021 fellowship match cycles and had publicly available data with fellowship and residency training locations and training year were included. Each fellow was categorized based on whether their fellowship and residency programs were in the same institution, same state, same US census region, or different census region. Categories were mutually exclusive. Of 236 eligible programs, 118 (50%) programs were identified, composed of 1787 matched fellows. Compared with the previrtual cohort (n=1178 matched fellows), there was no difference in the geographic placement during the 2021 virtual cycle (n=609 matched fellows) (P=0.19), including the proportion matched at the same program (30.6% versus 31.5%), same state but different program (13% versus 13.8%), same region but different state (24.2% versus 19.7%), or different region (35% versus 33.1%). There was also no difference when stratified by program size or geographic region. Conclusions The use of virtual interviewing in the 2021 cardiology fellowship application cycle showed no significant difference in the geographic placement of matched fellows compared with in-person interviewing. Further study is needed to evaluate the impact of virtual interviewing and optimize its use in fellowship recruitment.

Virtual Residency Interviews during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Applicant's Perspective

In light of the continuing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, virtual interviews will continue in the upcoming 2022 Electronic Residency Application Services cycle. As such, it is essential to recognize and learn from the experiences of the previous application cycle. The authors’ study collected comprehensive data regarding the virtual residency interview process through a combined quantitative and qualitative approach. They provide principles and recommendations to both programs and applicants for the upcoming interview season.

Objectives

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound impact on medical education at all levels, particularly on applicants applying to residency programs. The objective of the study was to gain a comprehensive understanding of applicants’ perspectives on virtual interviews in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We conducted a quantitative survey and a qualitative study between March and April 2021. The link to an anonymous online survey was emailed to fourth-year medical students from one allopathic medical school. The survey link also was posted on the social media page of one allopathic medical school and one osteopathic medical school. Participants were then invited to participate in a follow-up 15- to 45-minute qualitative virtual interview.

Results

A total of 46 participants completed the survey, with a response rate of approximately 29.1%. The most beneficial aspect of the virtual interview was saving money on travel (31, 78.39%). In contrast, the least beneficial aspect of the virtual interview was the inability to personally explore the culture of the program (16, 34.78%), followed by the inability to explore the city and surrounding area (11, 23.91%). Thematic saturation was reached after interviewing 14 participants over Zoom. Four major themes of the virtual residency interview experience were discussed: virtual interviews offered many advantages, virtual interviews posed unique challenges, residency programs need more organizational improvements, and virtual specific preparations are needed.

Conclusions

Despite the challenges associated with the virtual interview process, applicants rated the overall virtual interview experience positively. Given the continued impact of COVID-19 on medical education, the majority of residency programs will elect to continue virtual interviews for the 2022 Electronic Residency Application Services cycle. We hope that our findings may provide insight into the applicant’s perspective on the virtual interview experience and help optimize virtual interviews for future cycles.

Craniofacial Fellowship Applicant Perceptions of Virtual Interviews

INTRODUCTION

The 2021 interview cycle for craniofacial fellowship applicants was the first to be held virtually due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Here, we detail the craniofacial fellowship applicant perceptions and experience on the virtual interview process.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An institutional review board-approved 35-question survey study on the perception of the virtual interview process among craniofacial fellowship applicants was conducted. Surveys were distributed to individuals who had applied through the match, overseen by the American Society of Craniofacial Surgeons (ASCFS).

RESULTS

Ten surveys were fully completed with a corresponding response rate of 48%. The average number of interviews completed was 12.7±7.7 and 50% of applicants interviewed at >1 program in a single day. Overall, 90% of respondents preferred in-person interviews before the interview season, however, only 10% preferred the in-person format afterwards. Preference for a virtual-only format increased from 10% to 70%. Applicants cited cost (100%), ease of scheduling (90%), and ability to participate in more interviews (70%) as the primary strengths of the virtual platform; none reported difficulties with self-advocacy. After the interview cycle, 90% stated they would recommend virtual interviews.

CONCLUSIONS

The greatest strengths of virtual interviews were the ability to participate in more interviews, the ease of scheduling, and the cost benefits. Most applicants reported the same or increased ability for self-advocacy with virtual interviews. Following the index interview cycle for 2021, the majority of fellowship applicants now appear to prefer a virtual-only or hybrid format and would recommend virtual interviews in the future.

Medical Students' Exposure to Plastic Surgery: A Cross-sectional Review of Scholarly and Academic Opportunities

Specialty exposure is most influential in a medical student's decision to pursue plastic surgery training. We aimed to understand what opportunities exist for students through national plastic surgery organizations.

Methods

The American Board of Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and The Aesthetic Society provide online lists of related organizations. Cross-referencing lists yielded 47 unique organizations. Screening for presence of annual meeting and relevance to student and resident education yielded 14 organizations. Bylaws/web-domains were reviewed for information related to the annual meeting, leadership opportunities, membership, grants, and travel scholarships. If available, previrtual/in-person and virtual meeting prices were collected. Lastly, discrepancies between webpage information and phone/email correspondence were noted.

Results

All (100%) organizations welcomed students at annual meetings. Eleven promoted student presentation/submission. Average student registration fee was $109.3 ± SD$136.5 compared with $181.20 ± SD$157.20 for residents. Of organizations providing previrtual and virtual pricing (n = 10, 71.4%), there was an average price reduction in student registration of $92 (range: $0-375). Average student membership was $31.70/year ± SD $45.50 compared with $38.80 per year ± SD $65.90 for residents. The percentages of organizations offering student research grants, travel scholarships, and national student leadership were 21.4% (n = 3), 35.8% (n = 5), and 28.6% (n = 4) respectively. No organizations had student chapters/committees. All organizations (100%) contained at least one discrepancy between webpage/bylaw and email/phone.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that although national opportunities seem to be limited, a role exists for further engagement, with interested students eager to take the initiative. Virtual conferences present a lower-cost alternative for students and residents.

Who's Auditioning Who? Applicant-Reported Elements of the Best and Worst Plastic Surgery Subinternships

BACKGROUND

Many integrated plastic surgery applicants choose to complete one or more visiting subinternships or "away rotations" at programs outside of their home institution. As these rotations are so critical on both sides of the application process, the authors sought to identify the factors that influence subinternship experiences for plastic surgery applicants.

METHODS

A survey was used to collect information about demographics, the subinternship experience, and interview preferences. The survey was distributed to current plastic surgery interns and applicants who applied to Duke Plastic Surgery in the 2019/2020 application cycle.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-two responses were received (response rate, 35.2 percent). The mean number of subinternships completed was 4.47. The defining feature of respondents' best subinternship most often included engagement from faculty and residents, autonomy, and integration with the team. The worst feature of respondents' worst subinternship experience most often included a sense of disinterested or "malignant" residents and faculty, lacking operative/educational opportunities, and disorganization of the rotation. The majority of applicants (60.3 percent) would prefer to return for a standard interview day over interviewing while on rotation.

CONCLUSIONS

The subinternship experience remains a critical part of the applicant experience when applying to integrated plastic surgery residency programs. The experience on these rotations leaves a lasting impression that is highly variable and influences future recommendations to peers. Rotating students value inclusivity and case volume, and they take note of negative interactions they witness among residents and faculty. These results can help as programs design their subinternship experience for visiting students in the future.

What Attributes Make United States Plastic Surgery Programs Desirable? Perspectives from Medical Students and Residents

BACKGROUND

Plastic surgery is a competitive specialty that attracts many qualified applicants. This study provides results of a survey conducted to identify the attributes that make integrated and independent plastic surgery residency programs in the United States most desirable. Medical students' preferences for virtual events during the 2020 to 2021 Match cycle were also investigated.

METHODS

An anonymous 7-question survey was deployed to plastic surgery residency program directors to forward to medical students and current residents during the 2021 to 2022 National Resident Matching Program cycle. Demographics and ranking of program attributes were collected in the survey, and data analysis consisted of both qualitative and quantitative results.

RESULTS

A total of 50 survey respondents from 28% of plastic surgery residency programs was received. The happiness and well-being of residents and training at their preferred geographical location were identified as the most desirable qualities of a program (P < 0.05). However, 82% of respondents opposed mandatory research (P = 0.002). There was a statistically significant larger proportion of students that highly valued faculty responsiveness to feedback over perceived program ranking (P < 0.05). In the context of COVID-19, virtual meet and greets, as well as resident happy hours, were rated most desirable (n = 35, 70%), followed by social media outreach (n = 23, 46%).

CONCLUSIONS

Resident happiness and well-being, followed by preferred geographical location, were the most favorable program attributes. Plastic surgery residency programs may seek to better integrate these preferences within their curricula, as well as showcase them on social media, to attract high-quality applicants and optimize the training experience for matched residents.

Virtual interviewing in the COVID‐19 era: A survey of graduate program directors

Purpose/Objective

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, virtual interviews became a mainstay of graduate dental and medical education selection processes. To gain a handle on how to navigate lingering uncertainties about how interviews should be conducted in the future, this study examined the benefits and pitfalls of the virtual interview process (VIP) and assessed program plans to implement in the next interview cycle.

Methods

An anonymous online survey, for completion by one program representative (director or associate director), was sent to graduate medical education (GME) and advanced dental education programs at West Virginia University (N = 74).

Results

Fifty‐two (52) of the programs (70%) completed the survey. Zoom was the most frequently used interview platform (78.8%). Approximately two thirds (65.4%) of the interviewers thought VIP allowed the program to promote the university, the school, and their program and also reported experiencing video‐conferencing fatigue. About six in 10 perceive VIP can introduce bias in selecting applicants (59.6%) and potentially disadvantage some applicants (67.3%). Compared to the previous in‐person cycle, 67.4% of programs invited more applicants, and 73.1% interviewed more applicants. Regarding the 2021–2022 interview cycle, 55.8% of programs plan to offer either an in‐person or VIP, while 7.7% plan to keep their process completely virtual.

Conclusion

Graduate programs in this study demonstrated the indispensability of technology in transitioning from in‐person to virtual interviews during COVID‐19 pandemic. VIP has several advantages and disadvantages; this style of interview is forecasted to have a presence in applicant selection in the future.

Utilization of Instagram by Psychiatry Residency Programs in a Virtual Recruitment World

OBJECTIVE

Many psychiatry residency programs use Instagram to provide information about their program. This study assesses the content and engagement on psychiatry residency program Instagram accounts.

METHODS

A full list of psychiatry programs was gathered from the American Medical Association Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database (FREIDA). FREIDA was used to collect demographic information about a program. Program Instagram accounts were reviewed and assessed for content, and engagement scores were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate regression was used to analyze the information collected from the Instagram accounts.

RESULTS

There are 109 (42.9%) psychiatry residency programs with Instagram accounts; 99 (90.8%) accounts were opened in 2020. Analysis of the content of posts revealed posts with the following themes: 50.5% were departmental, 21.9% were social, 14.9% were other, 10.1% were academic and professional, and 2.6% were educational. Using multivariate regression, a higher total number of followers was correlated with the total number of accounts followed (p ≤ 0.001) and Instagram stories (p = 0.047) (R2 = 0.579). Engagement score was correlated with a total number of followers (p ≤ 0.001), program size (p = 0.048), and whether an account was active (p = 0.003) (R2 = 0.450).

CONCLUSION

Results demonstrate that 2020 led to an increase in the number of psychiatry residency program Instagram accounts and engagement with followers. Instagram provides a way to further promote a program, yet there is room for improvement to diversify the content.

Plastic and aesthetic surgery among medical students: A cross-sectional study

Objectives

The wide variety of operations that a plastic surgeon can deal with creates confusion regarding its proper scope. This confusion was observed in primary physicians as well as medical students. Increasing the perception of medical students toward plastic surgery can aid in career decision-making and early referral patterns. The aim of this study is to gauge a holistic overview of how medical students and interns perceive the plastic and aesthetic surgical specialty in King Faisal University and to suggest a recommended plan.

Methods

An online questionnaire was distributed equally to male and female medical students and interns in a local medical institute. The questionnaire constituted three sections; the first included the biographical data. The second is concerned with the different case scenarios and specialties to be chosen. The third is concerned with the previous clinical exposures. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 21. Between comparison, chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U-test, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied. Normality tests were conducted using the Shapiro-Wilk's test.

Results

Two hundred ninety-two students and interns have participated and completed the questionnaire. There were 189 males and 103 females. Plastic surgery was most commonly chosen in the following case scenarios; burn of the hand (74%), broken nose (64.7%), and cosmetic nose reshaping (80.8%). However, plastic surgery was infrequently chosen (selected by <30% of students) in many areas of hands and peripheral neuropathies (severed finger extensor tendon (26.4%), fractured scaphoid (12.7%), carpal tunnel syndrome (14.4%), brachial plexus injury (16.1%)). The most common source of information was the social media, and the least one is meeting with doctors and professors.

Conclusion

Medical students and interns lack a full view of plastic and reconstructive surgery, especially in hand and peripheral neuropathies. Improving the education of medical students and interns is recommended and needed.

Mastering the Match: Recruiting a Successful Surgery Resident

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The objective of general surgery residency is to produce competent surgeons. At a minimum this requires being procedurally and clinically capable and able to pass the board exams. Recruitment is designed to select those residents who can successfully do so. But there is more to being a successful resident than that. In this review, we attempt to define a "successful resident" and how to attract them to your program.

RECENT FINDINGS

Resident applicants are still most concerned with matching to a program that will prepare them for a surgery career. Though there is variation of importance for different applicants, resident life, comradery, and relationships with faculty or mentors do factor into residency ranking. The program website remains the most utilized resource for applicants. However, social media (SM) has an increasing role in applicants' evaluation of a program. SM and the preinterview gathering seem to expose the subjective aspects of a program most effectively. Additional assessments evaluating personality, grit or career goals may assist in screening applicants for good "fit."

SUMMARY

In order to recruit successful residents, it is necessary to determine which applicant attributes are important to the program. Additionally, a program must maintain an updated website with clearly delineated resident expectations and program strengths. The screening and interview process must be maximized to target residents with career goals complimentary to available program opportunities. If SM is utilized, post should be frequent with relevant information pertaining to both resident life and educational or clinical opportunities.

Its Not about the Destination, Its about the Journey-Plotting 50 Years of Changing Clinical Trends in Plastic Surgery in a Public Sector Teaching Hospital

Background The year 2019 marked the 50th anniversary of plastic surgery department of our institution. We present an audit to plot the changing clinical trends in our work in the past five decades.

Methods A single-center retrospective cohort study based on the department demographics was performed and compared across the decades from 1969 to 2019.

Results In 1969, the relative proportion of reconstructive versus cosmetic surgery procedures was 94.32% versus 5.68%; in 2019 this was 76.25% and 23.75%, respectively. An increase of 22 times increase in outpatient registrations, 13.1 times in total surgeries, 642 times in trauma reconstruction, 290 times for hand surgeries, and 323 times for skin tumor surgeries was noted. Male patients (64.9%) increased every decade more than females (35.1%), mostly for trauma surgery and gynecomastia correction. Proportion of pediatric cleft patients have markedly decreased. Spectrum of surgical procedures have widened. Top five reconstructive surgeries in 2019 were limb trauma reconstruction, skin tumor surgeries, hand surgeries, arterio-venous fistula (AV) creation, and oculoplasty. The most common surgery performed was cleft lip surgery in 1969 and hand surgery in 2019. The top five cosmetic surgeries performed in 2019 were scar revisions, nevus excision, liposuction and gynecomastia correction, rhinoplasty, and otoplasty.

Conclusions Data collection and archiving and periodic audits help us study changing trends in our field compared with the global trends. Knowing societal demands will help to improve the resident training in teaching hospitals.

Global Pandemic and Plastic Surgery Residency Match: Can Social Media Fill the Void?

Background

The type of content that influences plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) residency program selection and attracts applicants is everchanging and not clearly understood. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on residency selection that is undetermined.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine to what degree and the type of PRS SM content that drives prospective applicants’ interest of a residency program, especially in the context of COVID-19.

Methods

Prospective PRS residency applicants were surveyed anonymously.

Results

An average of 60% of respondents reported that PRS social media (SM) content influenced their perception of a program. Fifty-eight percent reported that resident lifestyle content made them gain interest in a program. Separately, 32% reported that resident lifestyle content influenced them to rank a program higher. Seventy-two percent of respondents claimed SM content did not make them lose interest in a program. Rarely posting, outdated content, and lack of engagement were cited as factors for loss of interest in a program. A majority of respondents (53%) reported wanting to see more resident life and culture content on SM. Of the existing PRS SM content, respondents were most interested in resident lifestyle, followed by clinical and program-specific content.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic amplified the importance of SM PRS residency selection. Resident lifestyle content was consistently indicated as more likely to make respondents gain interest in a program, rank a program higher, and as the most desired content. PRS programs will benefit from highlighting resident camaraderie, quality of life, hobbies, and lifestyle to attract applicants.

Evaluating the Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Match During the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic had significant impacts on medical education and on the 2021 Match. Visiting student rotations at locations other than students' home institutions were cancelled and residency interviews were hosted virtually. This study evaluated the impact that COVID-19 had on the 2021 Match including residency programs matching applicants from within their own institution as well as from within the same region. The sex of matched applicants in the Match cycles was analyzed as well. Data were collected from residency program websites, social media accounts, and communication with current residents. Data were tabulated and chi-square analysis was performed. The overall difference in matched internal candidates pre-/post-pandemic was determined to be statistically significant (8.3% increase; p = 0.004). The Midwest was determined to exhibit a significant increase for matching residents from medical schools in the same region (15.6% increase; p = 0.04). Female applicants were also determined to be significantly more likely to match into integrated plastic surgery programs in 2021. COVID-19 significantly impacted the 2021 Match with an increased number of programs selecting internal candidates, matched female applicants, and regional selectivity, especially in the Midwest. It is our hope that applicants, programs, and the plastic surgery community will use this information to continue to improve the residency selection process in the future.

Factors Influencing the Choice of Plastic Surgery as a Specialty in Saudi Arabia

Graduates of medical school must choose a specific specialty as a life-long practice from a large pool of medical specialties. This decision stands out as one of the most memorable and critical in their lifetimes. To reach such a decision with satisfaction, medical school graduates consider a variety of factors. This is the first study to explore the influential factors on pursuing plastic surgery as a career in Saudi Arabia.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on plastic surgery activities and residency programs in a tertiary referral centre in Iran

Background

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the COVID-19 outbreak as a new pandemic. In the meantime, plastic surgeons postponed their appointments due to the fair and rational allocation of medical supplies. These limitations made all junior and senior residents perform operations only on traumatic patients rather than those needing reconstructive procedures. This study aims to determine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on plastic surgery training programs in Iran. Also, the number of canceled surgeries will be determined to see the effects of the pandemic on the patients.

Methods

This retrospective case study considers a six-month timeframe in two consecutive years before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, the researchers evaluated the number of surgeries, types of procedures, age distribution, and gender distribution. The training program data of plastic surgery residents were collected from their logbooks and then analyzed in IBM SPSS Statistics 26. Differences were considered significant if p < 0.05 at a 95% confidence level.

Results

The total number of surgeries decreased by 23.5% after the COVID-19 outbreak (p < 0.05). There was a 29.9% reduction in trauma cases, -78.9% in aesthetic surgeries, -17.7% in reconstructive surgeries, -51.8% in craniofacial surgeries, and -59.5%in microscopic surgeries for each resident.

Conclusions

This study provides an insight into the severity of the pandemic effects on the plastic surgery training programs and the patients. The reduced number of surgeries led to a depletion in surgical skills training. These effects will not wear off immediately after the pandemic; therefore, it is necessary to observe whether the pandemic will have any lasting effects on this subspecialty.

Level of evidence: Level IV, risk/prognostic study

The Association between Away Rotations and Rank Order in the Integrated Plastic Surgery Match

BACKGROUND

Given the competition in the integrated plastic surgery Match, away rotations are ubiquitous among plastic surgery applicants to differentiate their applications. This study aimed to characterize how performing an away rotation affects rank order and Match outcomes for integrated plastic surgery programs.

METHODS

An online survey was designed and distributed to the top 25 integrated plastic surgery programs in the United States as determined by Doximity. Programs were polled about away rotation structure, position of rotators on their 2018 to 2019 rank list, and composition of current resident classes.

RESULTS

Twenty-five programs completed the survey (response rate, 100 percent). On average, programs interviewed 34.9 applicants (range, 22 to 50 applicants) and ranked 32.8 applicants (range, 10 to 50 applicants). Most "ranked-to-match" positions were occupied by home students or away rotators (60.9 percent). Rank order of home students, away rotators, and nonrotators varied significantly (p < 0.001), with median rank order of home students [5 (interquartile range, 1 to 9)] and rotators [14 (interquartile range, 6 to 27)] higher than nonrotators [17 (interquartile range, 10 to 29)]. Rank orders of away rotators tended to follow a bimodal distribution. Furthermore, 64.4 percent of integrated residents were either a home student or away rotator at their matched integrated program, with 20 percent of residency programs composed of greater than 70 percent of away rotators/home students across postgraduate years 1 through 6 classes.

CONCLUSIONS

For integrated plastic surgery programs, the majority of ranked-to-match students on rank lists and current residents were either home students or away rotators at their respective program. Performing well on an away rotation appears to confer significant benefit to the applicant applying in the integrated plastic surgery Match.

Impact of plastic surgery medical training on medical students' knowledge, attitudes, preferences, and perceived benefits: Comparative study

INTRODUCTION

Misconceptions surrounding the discipline of plastic surgery are widespread among not only the public, but medical students and professionals, as well. The purpose of this study was to explore how the inclusion of plastic surgery rotation into the medical curriculum affects medical students' knowledge, attitudes and preferences regarding plastic surgery specialization and referral.   Design and Methods: A descriptive-correlational design was utilized to collect data from 200 medical students in the final two years of education from two separate six-year medical programs in Jordan. Data was collected using self-reported questionnaires regarding knowledge of surgical procedures allocation, attitude towards plastic surgery, preference of specialization, and benefits of plastic surgery to physicians and patients.

RESULTS

Analysis showed that medical students of plastic surgery integrate rotation (program A) had a higher average score of correct procedure-allocation (M = 12.57, SD = 3.14), compared to non-integrated plastic survey rotation program (program B) (M = 8.29, SD = 3.05) 8.29. About 83% of students in program A had their knowledge on plastic surgery from direct exposure to a plastic surgeon, compared to 43% of program B, and 24% of students in program A reported that their perception of plastic surgery influenced by media compared to 62% of those in program B.

CONCLUSIONS

medical students who have been exposed to plastic surgery education are more confident about procedures of plastic surgery specialty and had more reliable sources of knowledge about plastic surgery than those who were not exposed to plastic surgery rotation.

The Impact of Social Media on Plastic Surgery Residency Applicants

BACKGROUND

Plastic surgeons have been early adopters of social media, and the efficacy and ethics of this practice have been studied. In addition, plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) training programs have begun using social media to connect with the public, including prospective PRS applicants. The ability of social media to attract prospective residency applicants is unknown. This study aims to examine the influence of social media on prospective residency applicants and their perception of a plastic surgery program.

METHODS

In the academic years 2018 and 2019, we conducted an anonymous, voluntary survey among applicants applying to both the integrated and independent Harvard PRS residency programs. The survey collected data regarding demographics, social media usage, online information gathering, and PRS programs' social media influence on applicants' perception/rank position of programs.

RESULTS

One hundred nine surveys were completed (23%). Ninety-seven percent of respondents reported searching online for information about residency programs. Twenty percent of respondents noted that a residency program's social media platform "influenced their perception of a program or intended rank position of a program" and 72% of those respondents indicated a positive effect on their perception of a program and its rank list position. At least 15% of respondents were concerned that engaging with a program's social media account would attract attention to their own social media accounts.

CONCLUSIONS

Applicants routinely rely on online resources to gather information regarding prospective residency programs. Fear of attracting attention to their own personal social media pages may limit applicants' engagement with PRS programs on social media. However, residency programs can still utilize social media to deliver important messages, especially as social media usage continues to grow.

Ranking United States Plastic Surgery Residency Programs Based on Academic Achievement of Faculty Members

INTRODUCTION

The Doximity Residency Navigator is currently the only resource that ranks plastic surgery residency programs. Given the paucity of objective program rankings, in this study, we devised a new algorithm to rank plastic surgery programs based on academic achievement of faculty members.

METHODS

The Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database was used to obtain the following information on plastic surgery programs: the amount of 2017 National Institute of Health and Veterans Administration funding, lifetime and 5-year faculty h-indices, and the number of faculty on editorial boards of journals. Based on all of this information, an overall ranking of the top 25 plastic surgery programs was created.

RESULTS

The top program for annual National Institutes of Health and Veteran Affairs funding was the University of Southern California (integrated and independent). The top programs for faculty lifetime h-index were the University of Michigan (integrated) and New York University (independent). The top program for faculty 5-year h-index was the University of Pennsylvania (integrated and independent). The top program for the number of faculty members who are on the editorial boards of major journals was Harvard University (integrated and independent). The top program overall was Harvard University (integrated and independent).

CONCLUSION

We ranked plastic surgery residency programs based on objective data related to faculty academic achievement. Academic achievement rankings are just one of numerous other factors that medical students should synthesize when making informed decisions when applying to residency.

Planning for Virtual Interviews: Residency Recruitment During a Pandemic

Recent directives from The Coalition for Physician Accountability, Association of Pediatric Program Directors, Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics, and Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs recommend virtual recruitment for graduate medical education (GME) programs this year. Driven by concerns for safety, equity and financial pressures, virtual interviewing will require a thoughtful approach to achieve the desired goals of recruitment. Drawing on the fields of communication and human resources management, we examine the potential effects of web-based interviews on communication through the lens of several communication theories: media richness, media naturalness, and signaling. We then review the literature on virtual interviews in GME training programs. Finally, we will provide best practices compiled from the literature.

Factors in Orthopaedic Residency Decision-making for Female Applicants: A Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Orthopaedics continues to remain the medical specialty with the lowest sex diversity in the United States. Orthopaedic residency programs are highly motivated to attract the best female candidates in an effort to improve their program diversity, but no studies currently exist that examine the factors of highest importance to female applicants for orthopaedic residency selection.

METHODS

A two-part survey was sent to female orthopaedic residents by e-mails available in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery directory, residency program coordinators, Doximity, and institutional websites. The survey included 17 characteristics of residency programs that participants were asked to score for importance and then asked to rank their top five most influential factors when selecting an orthopaedic surgery residency.

RESULTS

The most important factors included camaraderie among residents, happiness of current residents, variety/number of cases, fellowship placement, and early surgical/clinical experience, respectively. The least important factors included sex diversity of faculty and residents, number of female residents, concurrent fellows, number of female faculty geographic location near spouse, and finally, attitudes toward maternity leave.

DISCUSSION

These data support the notion that efforts by orthopaedic residency programs to improve desirability for female applicants should focus on highlighting some of the more universal, nonsex-related factors such as the happiness and camaraderie among residents and the anticipated clinical experiences. This is opposed to showcasing features, such as maternity leave and number of current female faculty or residents, which would seemingly appeal to female applicants.

Impact of COVID-19 on Away Rotations in Surgical Fields

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a variety of challenges in the medical education curriculum, one of which is the possible loss of summer and fall away rotations for fourth year students applying into surgical subspecialties. Subsequently, a lack of in-person evaluations may have a major impact on an applicant's perception of the residency and the program's ability to assess the individual applicant. This is especially crucial for applicants without a home program in their specialty of interest, as away rotations are an important opportunity to confirm interest in pursuit of a subspecialty, obtain letters of recommendation, and make positive impressions at programs of interest. The objective of this article is to assess the current COVID-19 pandemic situation in light of away rotations and to provide recommendations for surgical subspecialty programs and applicants to have the best outcome during this upcoming application cycle. In particular, we emphasize the importance of implementing universal processes within each individual subspecialty. This will provide equitable opportunities for all applicants, minimizing potential biases or disadvantages based on geographic location or availability of a program at an applicant's home institution.

Factors in Residency Decision Making for Female Neurosurgery Applicants

BACKGROUND

Neurosurgery remains a specialty with one of the largest gender gaps in the United States. Neurosurgery residency programs are highly motivated to attract the best female candidates in an effort to improve their program diversity, but no studies currently exist that examine the factors of highest importance to female applicants for neurosurgery residency selection. The purpose of this study was to determine factors that female neurosurgery residents used when selecting their residency.

METHODS

A 2-part survey was sent to female neurosurgical residents by e-mails collected from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons directory and residency program websites. The survey asked participants to score 17 characteristics of residency programs in terms of importance and then asked them to rank their top 5 most influential factors when selecting a neurosurgery residency.

RESULTS

The most important factors included variety/number of cases, camaraderie and happiness of current residents, early surgical/clinical experience, and academic reputation. The least important factors included gender diversity of faculty and residents, number of female residents, number of female faculty, and attitudes toward maternity leave.

CONCLUSIONS

Efforts to increase female applicants in neurosurgery residency programs should focus on highlighting some more universal, non-gender-related factors, such as happiness and camaraderie among residents and anticipated clinical experiences, as opposed to showcasing features that would seemingly appeal to female applicants, such as maternity leave and number of current female faculty or residents.

Women Continue to Be Underrepresented in Surgery: A Study of AMA and ACGME Data from 2000 to 2016

OBJECTIVE

In the past decade women have comprised nearly half of U.S. medical school graduates. However, women remain underrepresented among surgical residents and practicing surgeons. We conducted the current study to assess recent trends in the female-to-male (F:M) ratios among residents and physicians pursuing careers in surgery.

DESIGN

We used retrospective population statistics published by the American Medical Association and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education from 2000 to 2016. We compared trends of female-to-male ratios among residents and surgeons in surgical subspecialties to evaluate for potential differences over time.

SETTING

Published online population statistics.

PARTICIPANTS

We stratified both board-certified surgeons and surgical residents by sex and specialty.

RESULTS

From 2000 to 2013, the proportion of female surgeons among all female physicians remained constant (12%-13%). The proportion of board-certified female surgeons to all surgeons increased (from 15% in 2000 to 25% in 2013). The F:M ratios of board-certified surgeons in neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery were 1:10.6 and 1:13.9, with resident ratios 1:4.8 and 1:5.9, respectively. One specialty with increasingly equivalent ratios is plastic surgery with integrated resident F:M ratios of 1:3.1 in 2008 to 1:1.4 in 2015, and board-certified plastic surgeons of 1:9.2 in 2008 to 1:5.3 in 2013.

CONCLUSION

Although the gender gap is narrowing, women continue to be underrepresented in surgical specialties. It is important for fields with disproportionate representation to be aware of these differences and take steps toward creating and supporting a more diverse workforce.