Academic plastic surgery: a study of current issues and future challenges.

Full Abstract

INTRODUCTION:
The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the role of a full-time academic plastic surgeon, (2) to define the indicators predictive of a successful career in academic plastic surgery, and (3) to understand the current issues that will affect future trends in the practice of academic plastic surgery.

METHODS:
A questionnaire was developed to evaluate the role of current full-time academic plastic surgeons and to understand the current issues and future challenges facing academic plastic surgery. Each plastic surgery program director in the United States was sent the survey for distribution among all full-time academic plastic surgeons.

RESULTS:
Over a 6-week period, responses from 143 full-time academic plastic surgeons (approximately 31%) were returned. Fifty-three percent of respondents had been academic plastic surgeons for longer than 10 years. Seventy-three percent of respondents defined academic plastic surgeons as clinicians who are teachers and researchers. However, 53% of respondents believed that academic plastic surgeons were not required to teach or practice within university hospitals/academic centers. The 3 factors reported most frequently as indicative of a successful career in academic plastic surgery were peer recognition, personal satisfaction, and program reputation. Dedication and motivation were the personal characteristics rated most likely to contribute to academic success. Forty-four percent of respondents were unable to identify future academic plastic surgeons from plastic surgery residency applicants, and 27% were not sure. Most (93%) of the respondents believed that academic surgery as practiced today will change.

CONCLUSIONS:
The overall job description of a full-time academic plastic surgeon remains unchanged (teacher and researcher). Whereas peer recognition, personal satisfaction, and program reputation were most frequently cited as indicative of a successful plastic surgery career, financial success was rated the least indicative. Similarly, whereas the personal characteristics of dedication and motivation were rated most likely to contribute to academic success, economic competence was rated least likely. Although the role of academic plastic surgeons remains constant, the practice of academic plastic surgery is evolving. As a result, the future clinical milieu of academic plastic surgeons and training programs is in question.

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Author information

Author/s: Zetrenne, Eleonore (E); Kosins, Aaron M (AM); Wirth, Garrett A (GA); Bui, Albert (A); Evans, Gregory R D (GR); Wells, James H (JH);

Affiliation: Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Institute, University of California, Irvine, CA 92868, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Annals of plastic surgery (Ann Plast Surg), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jun; vol 60 (issue 6) : pp 679-83

Dates: Created 2008/06/03; Completed 2008/06/19;

PMID: 18520207, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Career Mobility
Fee-for-Service Plans - trends
Forecasting
Health Care Surveys
Health Services Needs and Demand - trends
Internship and Residency - economics; trends
Job Description

Managed Care Programs - trends
Physician's Practice Patterns - trends
Research - trends
Students, Medical - statistics & numerical data
Surgery, Plastic - economics; education; trends
Teaching - trends
United States

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