The Representation of Wellness Programs in Plastic Surgery Residency

Plastic surgery residency comprises a significant portion of early adulthood. The difficulties of residency are well documented, particularly with the impact on wellness and risk of burnout. Structured wellness programs, mentorship, social support, and autonomy can decrease residency burnout. This study looked at how plastic surgery program websites and GME websites represent wellness and support programs between both integrated and independent plastic surgery residencies.

A cross-sectional analysis of US plastic surgery residency programs was performed during the month of April 2024. The authors conducted a systematic content analysis on the available websites of these residency websites, GME websites, and associated programs' Instagram and X (formally Twitter) pages. Data points included (1) mention of wellness on the program website, (2) vacation time mentioned on the website, (3) protected time available, (4) spouse support options, (5) day care options, (6) connections with mentors, (7) images of social events on the website, and (8) images of social events on Instagram. Data were compiled and analyzed in JASP (JASP Team [2024]. JASP [version 0.18.3; computer software]) as well as Microsoft Excel. Categorical variables were compared using binomial tests and chi-squared tests. Statistical significance was defined a P value less than or equal to 0.05.

The majority of plastic surgery residencies did not discuss or describe their wellness programs on their official website, regardless of program size. Similar results were displayed when searching for spousal support and daycare. GME websites were more comprehensive than the program websites but still showed significant discrepancies with vacation policies and day care. Mentorship was mentioned in under half of all plastic surgery residencies. Integrated programs were more likely to display social events on Instagram when compared with independent programs.

Plastic surgery residencies do not provide evidence of existing wellness programs on their program websites. Although a lack of public information on wellness programs does not mean they do not exist, this could easily be mitigated by providing more comprehensive information on both GME and program websites.