Factors Influencing Plastic Surgeons When Selecting New Colleagues

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Surgical Recruitment
• Medical Group Dynamics

Background:

• Plastic surgery groups are expanding, necessitating careful candidate selection for positive work environments.
• Identifying valuable traits for new hires is crucial for successful group integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the most valuable traits for selecting new members in plastic surgery groups.
• To guide selection committees in optimizing their recruitment strategies.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to members of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons.
• Data collected included demographics, selection factors, and hiring experiences, analyzed by gender, practice type, group size, and years in practice.
• Statistical significance was determined using the chi-squared test (P < .05).

Main Results:

• Key factors influencing hiring decisions, such as candidate nationality and professional reputation, were identified.
• A significant majority (54%) of members expressed regret over past hires, with 75% citing personality and work ethic issues over professional skills.
• The importance of candidate reputation, publication count, and program director letters varied significantly.

Conclusions:

• This study pinpoints critical factors that impact the hiring of new plastic surgery candidates.
• The findings underscore the need for improved hiring processes and highlight recruitment challenges for Canadian plastic surgery groups.