The Implementation of International Electives for Plastic Surgery Residents: Current State and Future Directions

Interest in international surgical missions has been rising exponentially, with the plastic surgery community being a leader in this endeavor. The role of residents in such missions remains a topic of debate. This systematic review aims to consolidate the literature relevant to the inclusion of plastic surgery residents on international surgical missions to devise an algorithm to facilitate resident participation.

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Medline, and EMBASE was performed to identify studies relevant to plastic surgery resident involvement in the context of surgical missions. Relevant conclusions were retrieved from each study and compiled according to category.

Of 418 initial studies, 26 were retained for the qualitative synthesis. These were grouped into 3 categories: surveys (n=12), reflections (n=7), and reviews (n=7). The survey studies addressed the perceived value, educational impact, and long-term effect on participating residents. Three reflection studies were from the perspective of residents and 4 from staff, while all recounted the many benefits gained for participating residents. Review studies addressed the issue of accreditation and the ethics surrounding resident involvement.

This systematic review highlights the overwhelming support from residents and staff, the highly regarded educational value, and the positive global health effects associated with plastic surgery resident participation in international surgical missions. The authors hope this will encourage and facilitate the implementation of formal opportunities for residents within residency training programs.