Matching into Integrated Plastic Surgery: The Value of Research Fellowships

Abstract

Background: Integrated plastic surgery residency applicants sometimes complete research fellowships before residency. The average productivity and the impact of these fellowships on subsequent application to residency are unknown. The purpose of this study was to provide objective data to better understand the utility and productivity of a research fellowship. Methods: A national survey was conducted in which integrated plastic surgery residency applicants from 2013 to 2016 were surveyed regarding their experiences with research fellowships. American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons members were also surveyed to elicit their perspectives on the value of these fellowships. Results: Six hundred twenty-one integrated plastic surgery applicants from 2013 to 2016 were included in the study. Twenty-five percent of applicants participated in a research fellowship. Applicants who completed research fellowships were more likely to match into plastic surgery compared to those who did not (97 percent versus 81 percent, respectively; p < 0.05). Fellows were highly satisfied with their fellowship experience and produced an average of five publications and presentations per fellowship year. Sixty-three percent of research fellowships were performed to strengthen applications to categorical integrated plastic surgery residency. American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons members considered three or four publications/presentations productive. Most do not recommend research fellowships to all medical students. Conclusions: Research fellowships can effectively prepare for categorical plastic surgery by improving publication and presentation experience. This is the first study to show that applicants who completed research fellowships were highly satisfied with their experience, accomplished higher than expected levels of productivity, and statistically significantly matched into an integrated plastic surgery residency more often than applicants without research fellowships.

Leadership Roles, Academic Appointments, and Scholarly Activity—Does a Fellowship after Plastic Surgery Training Make a Difference?

“…Research experience bolsters student applications leading to acceptance to higher tier plastic surgery residency programs. 28 With scholarly activity being a benchmark for acceptance into higher tier residencies, it is not surprising that the individuals graduating from these programs were more likely to pursue additional training, as fellowship training has been associated with future careers in academia. 4 Alternatively, these higher ranked residency programs may place more emphasis on academia and research therefore priming their resident graduates for academic pursuits.…”

Impact of Medical Student Research Fellowships on Otolaryngology Match Outcomes

“…15,16 Thus, it is not unexpected that more applicants who have low Step 1 scores and who are not AOA members participate in research fellowships, as many believe that doing so will strengthen their residency application. 3,4,6 It is unclear, however, why such a large proportion of Asian applicants complete research fellowship, and more research exploring this finding is warranted.…”

“…These results differ from Mehta et al's findings that Integrated Plastic Surgery applicants who completed research fellowships were significantly more likely to match than those who did not. 6 These contrasting findings may be a result of differences inherent to the two specialties or may be a result of differences in study design. Our study benefited from a large sample size and the direct analysis of residency applications rather than surveys, thus avoiding the effects of a small sample size or of response bias.…”

“…Only one study on applicants to the Integrated Plastic Surgery residency has directly explored this, finding that participating in a fellowship led to higher rates of matching than not participating in one. 6 However, an analysis of the effects of research fellowship on the OHNS match has not yet been performed.…”

Incidence of Research Gap Years in Orthopaedic Residency Applicants: The New Standard?

“…The authors noted that 63% of RGY applicants stated they pursued the RGY to strengthen their residency application. 8 A similar study in radiation oncology residency applicants found 33% of applicants did a RGY. Within orthopaedics, the incidence of applicants seeking RGYs, the reasons students are seeking these opportunities, and whether participating in a RGY leads to higher match success into orthopaedic surgery residency are unknown.…”