Integration of the medical degree in oral and maxillofacial surgery: A 10-year follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
Ten years ago, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons membership was surveyed to evaluate the influence that integration of a medical degree might have on oral and maxillofacial training. The intent of the current survey was to reassess the influence a medical degree has had on the specialty over the past 10 years.


METHODS
The effects of a medical degree on privileges, referral patterns, and its role in the office, hospital, and academic settings were studied. Biographical data was collected and responses were evaluated for the following groups: 1) the nation as a whole, 2) MD versus non-MD oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMS), 3) geographic regions of practice, 4) population, 5) number of years in practice, and 6) involvement in academic programs.


RESULTS
The results of this survey were similar to the previous one. Substantially different responses were seen between the dual-degree and single-degree OMS as well as differences between geographic locations, years in practice, and academic involvement. MD-DDS and academic OMS again possessed a broader spectrum of privileges than their colleagues. Recently trained OMS again possessed a greater number of privileges than more experienced surgeons.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall there has been a trend toward increasing surgical privileges over the past 10 years for both single- and dual-degree OMS. The results presented emphasize the need to continually assess the influence that a medical degree has on the specialty.
Herford
A S
AS
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, TX 75390-9109, USA.
Pulsipher
D A
DA
Sinn
D P
DP
D003406:Credentialing; D003625:Data Collection; D004501:Education, Medical; D006801:Humans; D008504:Medical Staff Privileges; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D013515:Surgery, Oral / Q000193:education*; D014481:United States