WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGEON
We are interested to know the level of knowledge the public has regarding the training of Plastic Surgeons. If you would be kind enough to answer the questions as you encounter them it will be greatly appreciated. Don’t worry, we aren’t keeping score and there are no wrong answers.
2. Do you think it takes more than four years after completion of medical school to become a board certified plastic surgeon?
Yes NoThe path to becoming a plastic and reconstructive surgeon involves many years of training in a multitude of fields. Four years of undergraduate education followed by four years of medical school are standard presurgical training periods. A number of surgical fields can be chosen for the prerequisite graduate surgical education prior to beginning plastic surgery residency. The following are prerequisite training options for plastic surgery:
1) Completion of a minimum of 3 years of clinical training in an accredited general surgery residency. A large percentage of plastic surgeons completed a general surgery residency (duration of 5-7 years) and have achieved board certification from the American Board of Surgery (certification requires successful completion of the written and oral examinations).
2) Completion of an accredited residency program in Orthopedic Surgery (duration of training is 5 years).
3) Completion of an accredited residency program in Otolaryngology (duration of training is 5-6 years).
3. Is everyone who advertises their practice as “Plastic Surgery” required by law to have completed an approved plastic surgery residency?
Yes”>Yes NoThe resident must then be evaluated by the American Board of Plastic Surgery to ensure that the prerequisite training was satisfactory prior to beginning plastic surgery training. Plastic surgery training is 2-3 years of clinical exposure to the many areas of plastic surgery with graded increases in clinical and surgical responsibilities. The progress of training is evaluated midway through the first and second years with a standardized written examination which all plastic surgery residents take. After satisfactory completion of a Plastic Surgery training program approved by the American Board of Plastic Surgery the resident is eligible for board certification. The American Board of Plastic Surgery administers a written examination at the end of the plastic surgery residency which must be completed satisfactorily. An oral exam is then administered 2 years after completion of the plastic surgery residency, and is based upon the clinical cases collected by the surgeon during the previous 2 years. If this examination is completed satisfactorily, the surgeon will then be board certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The entire process of becoming board certified in plastic surgery requires 17-20 years of education/training after high school.
Frequently, surgeons will choose to pursue additional subspecialty fellowship training in one of the following areas; hand surgery, craniofacial surgery, burn/critical care, microvascular surgery, or cosmetic surgery. These fellowships are usually 1 year in length.
4. Prior to reading this were you aware that training in plastic surgery was so lengthy?
Yes NoJune 29 2008 12:34 am | PLASTIC SURGERY