218 Entrepreneurship in Plastic Surgery – a Single Departmental Experience

Abstract

Abstract Aim The specialty of Plastic and reconstructive surgery has long been at the forefront of innovation. However, perceptions of individuals focusing on entrepreneurship, particularly at a junior level, remain unclear. Anecdotally, trainees can be discouraged from participating in entrepreneurial efforts for fear of seniors’ disapproval. Method A questionnaire was circulated amongst doctors at the Royal Free Plastic Surgery department aiming to establish knowledge and perceptions of entrepreneurship. It included 10 questions to be answered anonymously. Results 18 individuals responded, including Foundation doctors (n = 2), Junior clinical fellows (n = 2), Core surgical trainees (n = 3), Specialty registrars (n = 5), Senior clinical fellows (n = 2) and Consultants (n = 4). All respondents (n = 18) understood the meaning of the term “entrepreneurship” and 44.4% (n = 8) had prior entrepreneurship experience. Perceptions of the connotations of the word “entrepreneurship” in surgery varied. 33% (n = 6) reported “strongly negative” and 33% (n = 6) “strongly positive” connotations. Notably, of those reporting “strongly negative” connotations, 80% (n = 4) were junior trainees at Core surgical training or below, and 20% (n = 1) were specialty registrars. Amongst the 4 consultants, mean perception on a 5-point scale was 3.75, indicating an overall “positive” connotation. Furthermore, 83.3% (n = 15) of respondents felt their surgical career had not provided them with opportunities to develop entrepreneurship skills and 94.4% (n = 17) would like further opportunities to develop entrepreneurship skills. Conclusions Perceptions on involvement in entrepreneurship in surgery are predominantly positive. Those associating entrepreneurial efforts with negative connotations seem to be predominantly junior. This result will hopefully encourage Plastic surgeons at all levels to become involved in entrepreneurial efforts.