Social problems in plastic surgery residents: a management perspective.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Resident Well-being

Background:

• Plastic surgery residents face social challenges impacting training.
• These issues can disrupt individual residency experiences and entire programs.
• A survey assessed the prevalence and nature of these social problems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the extent of social problems among plastic surgery residents.
• To identify common social issues affecting residents.
• To inform program directors and residents in managing these challenges.

Main Methods:

• A survey was developed by the American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons.
• The survey was distributed to all US plastic surgery training programs.
• Program data on resident social issues over 5 years was collected (66% response rate).

Main Results:

• 37% of programs reported residents leaving during the study period.
• 20% of programs reported residents being asked to leave.
• Common issues included divorce, family matters, substance abuse, and interpersonal conflicts.

Conclusions:

• Social problems can impede the timely completion of plastic surgery residency.
• Addressing these issues requires a sensitive, creative, and committed approach.
• Adherence to institutional and accreditation standards is vital for resident support.