The Ideal Microsurgery Fellowship: A Survey of Fellows and Fellowship Directors

Reghunathan, Meera; Zaldana-Flynn, Michelle V.; Rose, John; Crisera, Christopher A.; Reid, Christopher M.

doi:10.1055/s-0040-1715879

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Microsurgery fellowship was first established in the 1980s, and although the increase in microsurgeons may be due to the increase in number of programs, there has also been an overall increase in competitiveness in matching, as shown by Cooper et al, signifying a growing interest among plastic surgeons. [11][12][13] Craniofacial programs have increased from 10 programs in 2000 to 29 programs in 2013. 14 The sheer increase in programs can help point to the rising proportion of craniofacial surgeons in practice.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Training Backgrounds on Plastic Surgery Leadership: A Logistic Regression Analysis

Reddy,

Gutowski,

Yau

et al. 2024

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

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Background: Although career choices are often shaped by training and mentors, it is not clear how training backgrounds have influenced whether plastic surgeons pursue leadership positions. Analysis of these training pathways can serve as a key component of career planning for future leaders. Methods: The American Board of Plastic Surgery’s annual Newsletter to Diplomates was used to collate surgeons receiving board certification between 2002 and 2013. Online public profiles were used to collect training background data about each surgeon, including fellowship training, board certification year, MBA degree, otolaryngology or maxillofacial surgery training before commencing plastic surgery training, and leadership positions in surgery. A logistic multinomial regression was used to test the effect of training backgrounds on different types of leadership positions. Results: In total, 2190 plastic surgeons were included in the analysis. Factors increasing the probability of holding any type of position included fellowships in microsurgery, craniofacial, and hand; an international fellowship; multiple fellowships; a fellowship not otherwise specified; and MBA degree. Training background factors affected probabilities differently for each of the studied positions including chair/chief, vice chair/vice chief, program director, plastic surgery medical director, other institutional positions, and national society positions. Conclusions: Training backgrounds of plastic surgeons in leadership positions are multifaceted, involving a mix of intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as additional educational pursuits, subspecialty training, duration of practice, and practice setting. This analysis can help direct current trainees who aspire to future leadership in plastic surgery.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Training Backgrounds on Plastic Surgery Leadership: A Logistic Regression Analysis

Reddy,

Gutowski,

Yau

et al. 2024

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

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“…To address this deficiency in exposure, many individuals choose to complete microsurgical fellowships to gain further experience and hone their skills before completing their training. 13 14 This practice is prevalent among trainees from countries with less developed microsurgical practice and training opportunities. However, it is vital to note that a solid foundation in microsurgical training is necessary for trainees to begin performing these procedures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond Borders: A Global Microsurgery Training and Case Exposure Survey

Chang,

Jones,

Berner

et al. 2023

J Reconstr Microsurg

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Background Microsurgery is essential in modern reconstructive surgery and plastic surgery training. Surgeon's proficiency and experience are crucial for effective microsurgical interventions. Despite anecdotal evidence of varying quality of microsurgery training globally, no empirical studies have investigated this. We conducted a global survey to investigate microsurgical training and clinical case exposure among plastic surgery trainees worldwide. Methods An online survey was conducted using a secure platform to gather information on microsurgical case exposure and training among plastic surgery trainees between August 2020 and April 2021. Participants provided consent and completed a 37-question survey across four themes: clinical caseload, surgical exposure to microsurgery, microsurgical simulation training exposure, and barriers and opportunities. Results A total of 202 responses were received, with most respondents in formal training programs (86.7%). The data highlighted regional variation in microsurgery case indications and flap types, with North America and Europe exhibiting the highest activity levels in microsurgery. Trainees in Asia have the highest cumulative practical exposure in microsurgery, followed by Australia and Oceania, and North America. Only 39.6% of respondents reported formal microsurgical simulation training, and almost one-third (29.7%) received no simulation training. Trainee access to practical experience is limited by several factors, including insufficient time and procedure complexity. Notably, practical experience was most commonly denied without reason being given. Conclusion Our study highlights significant disparities in microsurgical training and exposure among plastic surgery trainees globally. Further research is needed to identify strategies for addressing these issues, given the growing demand for complex reconstructive microsurgery and its impact on health care inequalities.

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“…Furthermore, fellows with lower initial assessments improved their technical abilities faster, whereas those with higher initial assessments improved their speed and efficiency the most [22]. According to studies, completing a fellowship not only enhances technical skills but also contributes to clinical decision-making, research, and dealing with experimental questions in microsurgery [23][24][25].…”

Section: Originalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microsurgery Training in Latin America: A Survey of Residents’ Experiences

Vizcay¹,

Troisi²,

Navia³

et al. 2022

IMJ

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Objective: Health services in Latin America have witnessed continuous expansion, improving access for patients requiring treatment for trauma and cancer. However, while demand for complex reconstruction is on the rise, the number of trained microsurgeons remains limited. The aim of this study is to investigate current experiences of plastic surgery residents with regard to microsurgery. It also aims to find out ways through which the number of trained microsurgeons in the region can be increased for better medical care. Methods:A cross-sectional survey was designed to obtain information regarding the exposure and training that plastic surgery residents receive during residency in Latin American countries. We ensured that our procedure followed the data protection rules laid down in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Results:We requested 129 microsurgeons in Latin American countries to respond to our survey questions. A total of 93 survey responses were received, corresponding to a response rate of 72.1%. An analysis of the survey data showed that in terms of hands-on microsurgical training, 79.6% of the respondents had previous experience of being involved in performing a microsurgical procedure. However, 59.1% of the respondents mentioned that this was part of their formal training program. The majority of respondents (74%) reported that they would not be confident in performing a microsurgical procedure unsupervised. About half, or 48.4% of the respondents said that they would consider applying for a microsurgery fellowship. However, only 63.4% reported that they had access to a fellowship program in their home country. Conclusion:Few resident plastic surgeons in Latin America are able to attain the required level of experience so as to feel comfortable acting as independent microsurgeons. Both time and effort are required to address this problem. A powerful tool to change this situation is to gain access to international microsurgical fellowships. An influx of returning trained microsurgeons can provide two benefits: (a) increasing the caseload in the short run, and (b) improving the training of plastic surgeons for future generations of doctors.

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The Ideal Microsurgery Fellowship: A Survey of Fellows and Fellowship Directors

Cited by 4 publications

References 28 publications

Effect of Training Backgrounds on Plastic Surgery Leadership: A Logistic Regression Analysis

Effect of Training Backgrounds on Plastic Surgery Leadership: A Logistic Regression Analysis

Beyond Borders: A Global Microsurgery Training and Case Exposure Survey

Microsurgery Training in Latin America: A Survey of Residents’ Experiences

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