Osteopathic Graduates in Plastic Surgery: How Can We Improve the Pipeline?

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Osteopathic Medicine

Background:

• Integrated plastic surgery residency is highly competitive.
• Limited data exists on osteopathic applicants and trainees in plastic surgery.
• Understanding osteopathic students' perceptions is key to increasing diversity.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify trends in osteopathic applicants to plastic surgery.
• Analyze current osteopathic trainees within the field.
• Explore osteopathic students' perceptions and identify methods to foster exposure.

Main Methods:

• Analyzed data from Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited plastic surgery programs.
• Collected trainee data from program websites and public profiles.
• Distributed an anonymous survey to osteopathic medical students via Student Affairs directors.

Main Results:

• Osteopathic graduates comprise 1.2% of integrated plastic surgery residents.
• 87.4% of surveyed osteopathic students perceive a lack of plastic surgery exposure at their institutions.
• 92.6% of interested students faced barriers arranging subinternships.

Conclusions:

• Barriers in undergraduate medical education limit osteopathic students' pursuit of plastic surgery.
• Early exposure, mentorship, and away rotations can encourage more osteopathic students to enter the field.
• Addressing these barriers is vital for increasing diversity in plastic surgery.