Resident and Program Director Perceptions of Aesthetic Training in Plastic Surgery Residency: An Update

Abstract

Despite improvements observed from 2008 to 2011 published surveys, there are still challenges to be met especially in facial cosmetic procedures. It is suggested that resident clinics and cadaver courses be universally adopted by all training programs.

Cosmetic Surgery Training in Plastic Surgery Residency Programs

“…Data from both surveys were analyzed using SPSS (IBM, Armonk, N.Y.). Results were also compared to the most recent cosmetic surgery survey completed by Hashem et al 9 to determine differences in cosmetic training over the previous year. Categorical variables were analyzed using Pearson’s chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test, whereas continuous variables were examined using the unpaired Student’s t test and Mann-Whitney U test.…”

“…Previous studies analyzing the quality of aesthetic surgery training have shown deficits in training satisfaction and low confidence in performing common cosmetic procedures upon graduation. 2 , 3 , 8 , 9 This is not only limited to the United States but also Europe and Canada. 4 , 10 More specifically, in 2006, a survey by Morrison et al 3 determined that 76% of program directors felt that senior residents were satisfied while only 51% of residents admitted to being satisfied with their cosmetic training.…”

“…Additionally, over one-third of the graduating residents claimed they needed an aesthetic fellowship to feel comfortable performing cosmetic surgery. 3 , 8 A follow-up survey by Oni et al 2 in 2009 and Hashem et al 9 in 2015 revealed an increase in satisfaction by residents, a decrease in number requiring an aesthetic fellowship, and an increase in number of residency clinics per program directors. Since 2009, several major changes have occurred in plastic surgery training.…”

Graduate perception of cosmetic surgery training in plastic surgery residency and fellowship programs

“…Nonetheless, some variability in cosmetic exposure was noted between respondents. This variability may be explained by the preferences of residency programs and/or program directors whereby different programs may place greater emphasis on reconstructive plastic surgery than aesthetic training [7,10]. Additionally, it is possible that graduates guide their own surgical exposure to some degree and those pursuing other sub-specialties pursue do not seek out as much cosmetic exposure as others who are pursuing an aesthetic-based practice.…”

“…This can lead to deficiencies in knowledge [4]. Furthermore, studies demonstrate that program directors often disagree with residents regarding the quality of cosmetic surgery training and the best approach to provide exposure [2,9,10]. Historically, these differences have translated into wide variability in trainees' confidence performing core aesthetic procedures.…”