Abstract 24: Influence of Residency Training on Research Productivity and Plastic Surgery Career

Abstract

Background: The impact of residency training on academic productivity and a career in academic plastic surgery remains uncertain. Previous literature has explored the influence of training institutions on academic careers in surgery. The aim of the study was to assess research productivity during plastic surgery residency training and illustrate how differences in training programs impact resident research productivity. Methods: Academic plastic surgery faculty that graduated in the past ten years were identified through an internet search of all ACGME accredited residency and fellowship training programs. Research productivity was compared based on h-index, number and quality of peer-reviewed articles published during residency. Results: A total of 375 academic plastic surgeons were identified who produced 2487 publications during residency. The top 10 most productive training institutions were Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, University of Michigan, Stanford, University of California Los Angeles, Northwestern, Harvard, New York University, University of Pennsylvania, and Baylor. Academic productivity was higher among integrated residents (integrated = 8.68 publications, independent = 5.49 publications; p < 0.0001). The number of publications was positively correlated to the faculty size (r = 0.167, p = 0.0013), NIH funding (r = 0.249, p < 0.0001), and residency graduation year (r = 0.211, p < 0.0001), and was negatively correlated with Doximity ranking (r = - 0.294, p < 0.0001). H-index was positively correlated with number of publications (r = 0.622, p < 0.0001), faculty size (r = 0.295, p < 0.0001) and NIH funding (r = 0.256, p <0.0001) and negatively correlated with Doximity ranking (r = - 0.405, p < 0.0001) and residency graduation year (r = - 0.163, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Our study identified an elite cohort of productive research institutions. Resident research productivity is higher amongst integrated residents, recent graduates, and programs that are larger in size, with a higher Doximity ranking and NIH funding. This study can guide medical students and future applicants interested in academic plastic surgery in the selection of programs that match their career aspirations.