Plastic surgery residency programs are offered in the United States and abroad. There are
independent plastic surgery residency programs and integrated plastic surgery
residency programs. They differ in the number of years they take to complete
and the academic achievement of the faculty members.
Study of plastic surgeryresidency programs in the United States and abroad
If you are considering a career in plastic surgery,you may have questions about training programs. Fortunately, there are a number
of ways to get answers. For example, you can visit national plastic surgery
associations websites. They offer information based on information provided by
plastic surgeons in their countries. You can also contact plastic surgeons in
your country and ask them about their training.
In general, plastic surgeons undergo rigoroustraining programs. These residencies include clinical, didactic, and research
elements. Plastic surgeons are trained in technical performance, clinical
judgment, and ethics. The programs are designed to refine surgical techniques,
prepare residents for leadership positions, and produce outstanding surgical
practitioners.
While there are a large number of plastic surgeryresidency programs in the U.S. and abroad, the training and curriculum are
different. Therefore, it is important to know what you can expect from a
particular program. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to choose a program
that fits your needs.
A typical plastic surgery residency includes fiveyears of clinical training. In addition, each resident receives at least 10
months of training as an intern.
During the first year of training, residentsparticipate in general surgery. In addition, they complete a sub-internship and
elective rotations. This allows residents to practice the basics of surgical
technique in the clinic.
Ranking of plastic surgeryresidency programs based on faculty academic achievement
Doximity Residency Navigator is a website thatidentifies plastic surgery residency programs based on academic achievement of
faculty members. The website is an objective ranking that provides a guide for
residents.
Plastic surgery is a competitive specialty. It isimportant to understand the factors that impact match success. A new algorithm
ranks programs based on the academic achievements of their faculty members.
In a survey, 50 resident respondents and medicalstudents participated. The survey was conducted by an anonymous seven-question
questionnaire. Participants were third and fourth year medical students,
international medical students, and current residents.
In addition to faculty academic achievement,several other program attributes were ranked. These included scholarly metrics,
the h-index, and the number of faculty on editorial boards of major journals.
Research output is a well-studied indicator of match success.
Students preferred programs with a strong researchreputation. However, a majority of the cohort strongly opposed a mandatory
research year during residency.
During a research year, students would be given theopportunity to participate in surgical research projects. Residents were also
encouraged to submit applications to fund research.
Researchers noted that a number of plastic surgeryresidency programs lack a reliable ranking system. For this reason, the
American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons distributed a survey to 82
integrated programs and independent programs.
Comparison of independent andintegrated plastic surgery residency programs
There are many plastic surgery residency programsavailable, but the difference between independent and integrated programs isn't
always as clear as it seems. A recent study examined the academic reputation of
both types of programs, and how the two stack up against each other.
To determine the differences between the two typesof residency programs, the authors conducted a thorough review of the
literature. They analyzed published studies on applicant and resident
performance, as well as the national quality ranking of medical schools.
The study found that applicants to integratedprograms were more likely to be MD/PhDs than those to independent programs.
Additionally, the average applicant to an integrated program spends more than
$6000 on interviews. However, the number of pre-residency publications and case
volume were higher in an integrated program.
Despite these differences, many integrated plasticsurgery programs are still proving to be a valuable option for medical students
who don't have a home plastic surgery department. In fact, the number of
applicants to an integrated program increased 14.5% from 2010 to 2018.
Plastic surgery residents are frequently evaluatedusing various methods. Some of the most common tools used to measure progress
include global assessment scores, oral examinations, and scheduled formal
verbal feedback.
Although there is much debate on the merits of bothtypes of residency programs, the integrated model is gaining in popularity. As
a result, more and more new plastic surgeons enter the field through this
training pathway.