Factors Influencing Fellowship Selection, Career Trajectory, and Academic Productivity Among Plastic Surgeons

Background   Several factors influence the career trajectory of graduating plastic surgeons, and our study sought to capture characteristics of plastic surgery trainees as they relate to outcomes including fellowship selection, career choice, and academic productivity.

Methods.  Anonymous online survey data was obtained from members of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS).  Correlative analysis was performed implementing Pearson chi-square, Mann-Whitney, and Kendall tau-b to determine significant correlations defined by p < 0.05.

Results  A total of 624 (13.7%)  plastic surgeons completed the study out of 4543 survey invitations.  Greater numbers of publications upon entering residency (p < 0.05) and upon graduating from residency (p < 0.0001), stronger perceived mentorship during residency (p < 0.01), graduating from an integrated program (p < 0.01), and fellowship training (p < 0.001) were all correlated with a future career in academia. Additionally, fellowship training and number of publications during and prior to residency were correlated with eventual academic productivity (p < 0.05). Lastly, individual tendency to prioritize economics (p < 0.01) or geographic location (p < 0.05) was associated with eventual private practice, while prioritization of research (p < 0.01) and culture of training institute (p < 0.001) predicted academic careers.  

Conclusions  Graduating plastic surgery residents from integrated programs, with greater numbers of publications, stronger mentor relationships, and fellowship training were more likely to become academic surgeons.  Among this academic cohort, fellowship training and greater numbers of publications before and during residency were significantly correlated with increased academic productivity as an attending surgeon.