Background. Three educational models for plastic surgery training exist in the United States, the integrated, combined, and\nindependent model. The present study is a comparative analysis of aesthetic surgery training, to assess whether one model is\nparticularly suitable to provide for high-quality training in aesthetic surgery. Methods. An 18-item online survey was developed\nto assess residents� perceptions regarding the quality of training in aesthetic surgery in the US. The survey had three distinct\nsections: demographic information, current state of aesthetic surgery training, and residents� perception regarding the quality of\naesthetic surgery training. Results. A total of 86 senior plastic surgery residents completed the survey. Twenty-three, 24, and 39\nresidents were in integrated, combined, and independent residency programs, respectively. No statistically significant differences\nwere seen with respect to number of aesthetic surgery procedures performed, additional training received in minimal-invasive\ncosmetic procedures, median level of confidence with index cosmetic surgery procedures, or perceived quality of aesthetic surgery\ntraining. Facial aesthetic procedures were felt to be the most challenging procedures. Exposure to minimally invasive aesthetic\nprocedures was limited. Conclusion. While the educational experience in aesthetic surgery appears to be similar, weaknesses still\nexist with respect to training in minimally invasive/nonsurgical aesthetic procedures.
Loading....