Equitable Access to Research Opportunities in Plastic Surgery: Development of a Research Fellowship Database

Zimmerman, Carrie E.; Humphries, Laura S.; Taylor, Jesse A.

doi:10.1097/prs.0000000000008535

Cited by 7 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 8 publications

(12 reference statements)

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“…Because research productivity has been shown to increase the odds of matching successfully into integrated plastic surgery, taking dedicated research years has become more common. [47][48][49] Not only are research years costly, both for the students who acquire a funded fellowship and even more so for those who support themselves out-of-pocket, but the potential lack of equitable knowledge transmission regarding opportunities may put some students at a disadvantage. 47,48 Another study posits that research fellowship opportunities are identified through personal connections, medical school advisors, and sometimes via an online search of available applications.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[47][48][49] Not only are research years costly, both for the students who acquire a funded fellowship and even more so for those who support themselves out-of-pocket, but the potential lack of equitable knowledge transmission regarding opportunities may put some students at a disadvantage. 47,48 Another study posits that research fellowship opportunities are identified through personal connections, medical school advisors, and sometimes via an online search of available applications. 40 The UIM students or those who come from institutions with no plastic surgery home programs may find it more challenging to develop a strong mentorship relationship and thus may be unable to access these opportunities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…40 The UIM students or those who come from institutions with no plastic surgery home programs may find it more challenging to develop a strong mentorship relationship and thus may be unable to access these opportunities. 48 During this same period, the number of applications per applicant and the total cost of applying to plastic surgery have dramatically increased, which again may disadvantage UIM applicants. 44,50 As plastic surgery training and the application process continues to evolve, we must be aware of the possible inequities it may foster and how it affects the future of our specialty.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Evolving Plastic Surgery Applicant

Hemal,

Perez-Otero,

Boyd

et al. 2024

Ann Plast Surg

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Background Plastic surgery training has undergone tremendous change and transitioned through many models over the years, including independent, combined, and integrated. This study evaluates how these changes and others have affected plastic surgery applicants' demographics and academic qualifications over the last 30 years. Methods Data on applicant demographics and academic qualifications were extracted from multiple sources including the National Resident Matching Program, the American Association of Medical Colleges, and cross-sectional surveys of plastic surgery applicants for the years 1992, 2005, 2011, and 2022. Data were compared using pairwise χ2 goodness of fit tests. Results The sex distribution of plastic surgery applicants changed significantly over the last 30 years: whereas men predominated in 1992 (86% male vs 14% female), by 2011, the distribution was nearly equal (54% male vs 46% female in both 2011 and 2022, P < 0.001). The racial makeup of applicants also changed over time (P < 0.05). White applicants decreased from 73% in 1992 to 55% in 2011, and 53% in 2022. While there was an increase in Asian (7% to > 17% to > 20%) and other (13% to > 14% to > 21%) applicants over time, whereas the proportion of Black applicants remained stagnant (5% to > 6% to > 8%). Applicants with prior general surgery experience declined precipitously over the years: 96% in 1992, 64% in 2005, 37% in 2011, and 26% in 2022 (P < 0.001). When compared with 1992, Alpha Omega Alpha status increased significantly in 2011 (36% vs 12%, P < 0.05) but did not change considerably in 2005 (22%) and 2022 (23%). Research experience increased dramatically over the years, with the proportion of applicants with at least one publication going from 43% in 1992, to 75% in 2005, to 89% in 2011, and to 99% in 2022 (P < 0.001). Applicant interest in academic plastic surgery did not change considerably over the years at roughly ranging from 30% to 50% of applicants (P = ns). Conclusions There has been a shift in the demographics and academic qualifications of plastic surgery applicants over the last 3 decades. Understanding this evolution is critical for reviewing and evaluating the makeup of our specialty, and enacting changes to increase representation where necessary.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Evolving Plastic Surgery Applicant

Hemal,

Perez-Otero,

Boyd

et al. 2024

Ann Plast Surg

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In addition, research fellowships can be made more accessible. Zimmerman et al 33 have compiled a database of research fellowships, specifying research focus and type, fellowship components, applicant eligibility, and whether funding is provided. Initiatives such as these need to be continued and updated to compensate for the difficulty in finding a fellowship without mentor guidance or direct connections.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Medical Student Race to Research

et al. 2023

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Background Abstract presentations increase research output and facilitate networking for medical students applying to plastic surgery. We aim to determine predictors of increased medical student presentation at national plastic surgery conferences, identifying disparities in access to research opportunities. Methods Abstracts presented at the 2 most recent meetings of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Association of Plastic Surgeons, and Plastic Surgery Research Council were extracted from online archives. Presenters without MDs or other professional credentials were classified as medical students. Presenter gender, medical school ranking, plastic surgery division/department, National Institutes of Health funding, number of total and first-author publications, H-index, and research fellowship completion status were recorded. Students with 3 or more (>75th percentile) presentations were compared with those with less by χ 2 tests. Univariate and multivariable regressions identified factors associated with 3 or more presentations. Results Of 1576 abstracts, 549 (34.8%) were presented by 314 students. The gender distribution was 46.5% male and 53.5% female. Most were from the Northeast (36.9%), 35% came from top 20 medical schools, and 85% attended schools with home plastic surgery programs. While 61.8% presented once, 14.6% presented 3 or more times. Those who previously presented, completed research fellowships or had more publications or higher H-indices were likely to present more (P ≤ 0.007). On multivariable-adjusted analysis, completing research fellowships (odds ratio [OR], 2.34–2.52; P = 0.028–0.045), affiliation with institutions having higher National Institutes of Health funding (OR, 3.47–3.73; P = 0.004–0.006), or having more total number of publications (OR, 3.81; P = 0.018) or first-author publications (OR, 3.84; P = 0.008) was associated with 3 or more presentations. Presenter gender, geographic region, medical school ranking, home program status, and H-indices were not significant predictors on multivariable analysis. Conclusions There are several potential inequities in access to research opportunities for medical students, disadvantaging those with less well-funded plastic surgery programs and existing research experience. Improving the equitability of these opportunities is crucial for limiting bias in trainee recruitment and diversifying representation in the field.

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“…American Indian/Alaskan Native and Black/African American applicants were the least reported. 9 Selection bias in ERE candidates may exacerbate inequities of socioeconomic status and race seen within new trainees to plastic and reconstructive surgery. This study investigates how disparities in socioeconomic status among applicants to integrated plastic surgery residency influence participation in ERE.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Socioeconomic Disparities in Research Participation: Bias in Plastic Surgery Residency Match

Lin,

Huttinger,

Butler

et al. 2024

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

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Background: Integrated plastic surgery residency applicants have increased at a rate disproportionate to available positions. Research productivity has become a surrogate marker for competitiveness, and many applicants pursue it to distinguish themselves. To date, no study has investigated socioeconomic disparities in extended research experience (ERE) participation. Methods: A 35-question cross-sectional survey was distributed to applicants to United States-based integrated plastic surgery residency programs during the 2019–2022 application cycles. Summary tables, student t test, and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 161 responses (response rate: 20.9%) were recorded. Fifty-nine (40.7%) respondents participated in an ERE. The most common reason for ERE participation was strengthening one’s application. The most common reason against participation was avoiding delays in career progression. A greater percentage of respondents from Northeastern medical schools participated in EREs (P = 0.019). There were no significant differences in debt burden between those who did or did not participate in an ERE. A greater percentage of applicants whose parents had advanced degrees participated in EREs (P = 0.053). Conclusions: There may be geographic and socioeconomic biases present in access to ERE for students interested in plastic surgery. The growing popularity of EREs may have unintended consequences for applicant diversity. As most plastic surgeons ultimately practice in nonacademic settings, applicants and plastic surgeons may consider the financial hardships and possible socioeconomic disparities in research opportunities before participating in or recommending them.

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Equitable Access to Research Opportunities in Plastic Surgery: Development of a Research Fellowship Database

Cited by 7 publications

References 8 publications

The Evolving Plastic Surgery Applicant

The Evolving Plastic Surgery Applicant

The Medical Student Race to Research

Socioeconomic Disparities in Research Participation: Bias in Plastic Surgery Residency Match

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