What Does It Take to Become an Academic Plastic Surgeon in Canada: Hiring Trends Over the Last 50 Years.

Brett T Phillips,Janna L Malone,Ronen Avram,Chloe R Wong,Andrea E Copeland,Christopher J Coroneos,Daniel E Axelrod,Lucas Gallo

doi:10.1177/22925503211011974

Brett T Phillips, Janna L Malone + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1177/22925503211011974

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Abstract

Objective: Academic plastic surgery positions have become highly competitive secondary to delayed retirement, stagnant hospital funding, and an increasing number of plastic surgery graduates. Little information is available to help residents navigate this challenging landscape. Our objectives were to evaluate the training backgrounds of all Canadian academic plastic surgeons and to develop recommendations for residents interested in an academic career. Methods: All Canadian academic plastic surgeons were included. Training histories were obtained from institutions’ websites. Surgeons were subsequently emailed to confirm this information and complete missing details. Multivariate regressions were designed to analyze the effect of gender and FRCSC year on graduate and fellowship training and time to first academic position. Results: Training information was available for 196 surgeons (22% female), with a 56% email response rate; 91% of surgeons completed residency in Canada; 94% completed fellowship training, while 43% held graduate degrees; 74% were employed where they previously trained. Female gender significantly lengthened the time from graduation to first academic job, despite equal qualification. Younger surgeons were more likely to hold graduate degrees (P < .01). Conclusions: We identified objective data that correlate with being hired at an academic centre, including training at the same institution, obtaining a graduate degree during residency, and pursuing fellowship training. In addition, we demonstrated that women take significantly longer to acquire academic positions (P < .01), despite equal qualification. Trainees should consider these patterns when planning their careers. Future research should explore gender-based discrepancies in hiring practices.

Highlights

Academic plastics surgeons typically provide specialized clinical care and perform research while simultaneously training the cohort of surgeons
This is the first analysis of academic backgrounds of all Canadian plastic surgeons practicing at academic centres
Our study found that despite being at least and possibly more qualified, female plastic surgeons took significantly longer to be hired onto their first academic job

Summary

Introduction

Academic plastics surgeons typically provide specialized clinical care and perform research while simultaneously training the cohort of surgeons. 38% of Canadian plastic surgery residents were interested in academic practice.[1] In the same study, more than half of Canadian plastic surgeons worked in either a purely academic (29%) or a mixed practice (24%).[1]. Despite attempts at workforce planning, there remains a disconnect between the number of residents being trained and the demand for new plastic surgeons.[1,2] In the last 10 years, there has been an increase in the number of graduating plastic surgery residents.[3] the job market has not accommodated for this, with fewer surgeons retiring and no means to increase hospital resources to accommodate more plastic surgeons.[3]

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