INTRODUCTION: In this day and age of electronic medical records and increased use of advanced technologies in the field of plastic surgery, the majority of plastic surgeons are utilizing patient database software in their offices. The goal of patient management software is to provide critical information to the surgeon that may have a positive impact on their practice, surgical techniques, research activities and overall patient's outcome. Currently, there are a variety of database programs marketed to plastic surgeons with wide-ranging features and cost. The purpose of this study was to determine what type of research databases pertaining to patient information are currently being used by practicing plastic surgeons, the cost of such programs, and most desirable software features. Based on this data, we hope to develop a uniform, cost effective program for attendings, fellows and residents in plastic surgery.

METHODS: A web-based survey consisting of 23 questions was sent to plastic surgeons through the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) member list roster. In addition, e-mail addresses of residents and fellows found on the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database (FREIDA) website were used. The responses were recorded and tabulated by the CTL SilhouetteTM system, an online data collection software for descriptive analysis.

RESULTS: There were seventy-five (20.4 %) respondents including plastic surgeons, residents, and fellows. They represent 5 group practices, 28 solo surgeons, 32 university-based practices, 3 community hospital-university affiliated, 1 community hospital-not university affiliated and 6 residents/fellows in-training. Our data demonstrated that the most frequently patient database software programs used included Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons (TOPS), Mirror Imaging, Nextech, and Medics Elite. The cost of the software programs was highly variable, ranging from $0 to $12,000, excluding yearly maintenance and upgrades. We found that the most desirable features included easy search features, user friendly applicability, photo storage/management, and storage and access to patient information/procedures according to CPT codes with measurements. When asked how information is obtained about the purchase of practice management software programs the majority of the respondents, forty-six, selected American Society of Plastic Surgeons whereas, forty-one, obtained information from colleagues. Fifty-five of the respondents moderately-strongly agree that using patient database software can enhance the efficiency, profitability and research activities in their practice.

CONCLUSIONS: It appears that an ideal patient database would be one that is reasonably priced, user friendly, easy search features, stores types of procedures with photos according to the CPT codes along with measurements for basic statistical analysis, and stores and retrieves patient information. A uniform research patient database software is needed to improve the practice of those in both the private and academic sector of plastic surgery. Research patient database programs are valuable tools for plastic surgeons, residents and fellows.