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Resident Attrition in Plastic Surgery: A National Survey of Plastic Surgery Program Directors
Maelee Yang BS, Joseph Meyerson MD, Gregory Pearson MD
Ohio State University Medical Center
2016-01-23
Presenter: Maelee Yang
Affidavit:
I participated in the development of the project.
Director Name: Gregory Pearson
Author Category: Medical Student
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: General Reconstruction
Background: Plastic surgery training programs are comprised of two types, the 6-year integrated pathway immediately after medical school and the 3-year fellowship pathway whose applicants have completed prior residency training. Currently, there is discrepancy in the literature about the attrition rates of either program from 0% to 30.2% and there have been no identified risk factors or recommendations for preventing resident attrition.
Methods: An anonymous, multi-part, multiple-choice and short answer, online survey was designed for program directors of both the integrated and independent training paths. Surveys were sent to all programs in the United States.
Results: Of the 95 programs, 33 surveys were completed and returned, corresponding to a 35% response rate. The average attrition rates of the independent and integrated programs for the past 10 years were 2.14% and 0.85%, respectively. Eighty two percent of respondents believed integrated programs to be at highest risk for attrition, attributing it to immaturity and lack of exposure. Of the programs to have experienced attrition, only 16.67% believed it was preventable. Loss of interest as well as aversion to the lifestyle and hours were noted to be the main reasons for attrition. Single, male residents were found to be at the highest risk for attrition.
Conclusions: The independent plastic surgery programs have experience higher rates of attrition in the past 10 years when compared to the integrated pathway. An additional three years of training may seem feasible, however, loss of interest and the extension of rigorous training causes these independent residents to leave.
