True Grit: The Tale of American Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Applicants

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Psychology in Medicine

Background:

• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS) residency selection is complex, considering academic and personal factors.
• Grit, defined as perseverance and passion for long-term goals, is a potential quality for successful applicants.
• This study explored the relationship between grit scores and PRS residency match success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between grit scores and matching into PRS residency.
• To determine if higher grit is associated with greater success in the PRS residency application process.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study surveyed applicants to an integrated PRS program (2021-2023) after match day.
• The survey included validated grit questionnaire items and match results.
• Univariate analyses (Spearman correlation, Wilcoxon rank sum test) assessed relationships between grit, academics, and match outcomes.

Main Results:

• 132 of 616 (21%) applicants responded to the grit survey; 97 (74%) matched into PRS.
• Higher grit scores were significantly associated with lower odds of matching into PRS residency (OR 0.13, p=0.03) after confounder adjustment.
• Higher USMLE Step 1/2 CK scores, publications, and female gender correlated with higher matching odds.

Conclusions:

• No association was found between higher grit and successful PRS residency matching.
• Higher grit scores were observed in applicants who did not match, potentially reflecting increased perseverance during perceived failure.
• Grit may not be a predictor of success in PRS residency applications.