The Implementation of a Preclinical Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Mentorship Program

To implement a longitudinal mentorship program in plastic surgery for preclinical medical students and evaluate whether the program positively affected participants.

At The Ohio State University, a tertiary academic medical center, from January 2023 to May 2024, 2 medical student cohorts, comprising a total of 31 students, were paired among 10 plastic surgeons. Program objectives included clinical, operating room, and Grand Round attendance as well as a case presentation to the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Mentorship Program (PRSMP) peers, leadership, and mentors at the conclusion of the mentorship period.

Of the 31 participating students, 20 (65%) consented to receive surveys, and 17 (85% of consenting participants, 55% of involved students) successfully completed postprogram surveys. Surgical observation was the most enjoyable program component (88%), and the most useful in career discernment (59%). All 17 participants reported an increase in exposure to plastic surgery (proportion, R:1.0; 95% CI [0.86-1.0]), while 16 participants (94%) reported an increase in knowledge of plastic surgery, willingness to engage in plastic surgery extracurriculars, and belief that the PRSMP was a beneficial use of time (proportion, R:0.94; 95% CI [0.73-0.99]). Fifteen students (88%) reported increased interest in plastic surgery research, a high likelihood of maintaining contact with their mentor, and benefits of having a plastic surgery attending mentor (proportion, R:0.88; 95% CI [0.67-0.97]).

The PRSMP benefited students across multiple realms and promoted longitudinal relationships between attending physicians and medical students. This program can serve as an effective model for the creation of similar mentorship programs, especially during preclinical years of medical school.