Development of "Explore Plastic Surgery": An Educational Program for Medical Students Without Home Residency Programs

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Career Development

Background:

• Medical students at institutions without plastic surgery residency programs face disadvantages in the match.
• The "Explore Plastic Surgery" program was developed to address this gap.
• This study evaluated the program's impact, utility, and success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact and utility of the "Explore Plastic Surgery" educational program.
• To evaluate the program's success in preparing students for plastic surgery careers.
• To understand the program's effect on students' perceptions of barriers.

Main Methods:

• Pre- and post-event surveys were administered to participants.
• Survey data included demographics, perceived barriers, and event utility.
• Statistical analysis was performed on collected survey data.

Main Results:

• Increased understanding of steps toward a plastic surgery career (P < 0.001).
• Enhanced confidence in overcoming barriers (P = 0.005) and faculty outreach (P = 0.01).
• Reduced perception of negative impact from lacking a home program (P = 0.006).

Conclusions:

• The program significantly increased participants' confidence and reduced perceived disadvantages.
• Early exposure and recruitment initiatives are crucial for plastic surgery accessibility and diversity.
• The "Explore Plastic Surgery" program demonstrates effectiveness in supporting students without home programs.