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The Ideal Applicant to the Saudi Plastic Surgery Residency Program.
Qutaiba N M Shah Mardan1, Nouf A Alamari2, Hatan M Alzahrani3
1Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Section, Department of Surgery, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Global Open
|March 8, 2021
Summary
Plastic surgery program directors in Saudi Arabia prioritize interview impressions and prior experience for applicants. High-quality publications and electives are valued, while gender is not a factor.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Training
- Residency Admissions
Background:
- Securing a plastic surgery residency position is highly competitive for medical students.
- International literature extensively covers program director preferences, but a gap exists for Saudi Arabia.
- This study addresses the specific criteria valued by Saudi plastic surgery program directors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and rank the key attributes and experiences Saudi plastic surgery program directors consider essential for resident selection.
- To provide guidance for medical students pursuing plastic surgery careers in Saudi Arabia.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was administered to all current and former Saudi plastic surgery training program directors (n=17).
- Data were analyzed using SPSS for frequencies, percentages, and independent t-tests.
- Ethical approval was secured from a local institution.
Main Results:
- Program directors ranked interview impressions (mean 6.2) and prior experience (mean 5.8) as most important.
- High-quality publications (47%) and prior electives/rotations (71%) were highly valued.
- The Saudi Medical Licensing Examination (SMLE) and postgraduate degrees were ranked lower in importance.
Conclusions:
- Understanding these preferences allows medical students to strategically prepare for plastic surgery residency applications.
- Early planning and focusing on key areas like interview skills and research can enhance a candidate's profile.
