The Cost of Matching into Plastic Surgery.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Specialties
• Health Economics

Background:

• Integrated plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) is a highly competitive medical specialty.
• Applicants invest significantly in research, away rotations, and conferences to enhance their profiles.
• Previous research has assessed individual costs, but a comprehensive financial analysis is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive analysis of the financial toxicity associated with becoming a competitive PRS applicant.
• To estimate the cumulative costs of essential components for PRS residency applications.

Main Methods:

• A literature review was conducted to identify and quantify costs associated with away rotations, research fellowships, conference attendance, publication fees, residency applications, and interview travel.
• Cost estimations were calculated for applicants with and without a dedicated research year.

Main Results:

• Significant financial costs were identified, with estimations of $27,138 without a research year and $69,438 with a research year.
• Average applicants submit numerous applications, attend multiple interviews and conferences, and complete away rotations.
• These figures are likely underestimates due to unquantifiable variable costs.

Conclusions:

• The substantial financial investment required for PRS applications is unattainable for many, exacerbating existing disparities.
• High costs limit access to the field and necessitate external financial support.
• Structural reforms, such as subsidized travel and virtual interviews, are needed to improve accessibility.