Abstract 20: Stated Plans at the Time of the Plastic Surgery Interview

Abstract

Background: The majority of board-certified plastic surgeons and American Society of Plastic Surgeons members work in a private practice setting; however, most candidates interviewing for plastic surgery residency express a desire to pursue an academic practice. The authors sought to investigate this enigmatic pattern by interviewing medical student candidates applying to a single plastic surgery residency training program about their plans upon graduation. Methods: Prospective data was collected on 94 medical student candidates applying to a single plastic surgery residency training program over a four-year year period. Each candidate was questioned in an open-ended manner by the program director about their plans for practice at the conclusion of their residency. Demographic and candidacy metrics were also recorded. Results are reported in N (%) or average (standard deviation). Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired T-test and Chi-square tests (p<0.05). Results: Applicants interviewed consisted of 59 (62.5%) males and had an average age of 27.8 (1.7) years old. They had an average USMLE Step 1 score of 250.5 (10.7), and 14 (14.9%) had obtained other degrees. Of the 86 students who attended schools with an Alpha Omega Alpha chapter, 63 (73.3%) were inducted. Applicants reported 7.3 (7.0) published papers, with 2.5 (3.0) first author papers. Regarding future practice setting, 78 (83.0%) expressed a desire to work an academic practice, 25 (26.6%) expressed a desire to be involved in teaching, mentorship, or education, and 16 (17%) expressed a desire to be involved in research. Ten (10.6%) gave no indication of a future setting, and only two (2.1%) stated a desire for a private practice. No significant association existed between expressed preference of academic practice as compared to no preference of academic practice and any of the reported applicant candidacy metrics or demographics (p>0.05). Conclusion: Despite the overwhelming percentage of candidates who express a desire to enter academic practice, most enter private practice, which should be recognized at the time of the residency interview. Further investigation should be performed to elucidate the motivations for applicants wishing to pursue academic practice and the reasons that those motivations ultimately change during residency.