title: Comparison of Plastic Surgery Residency Training in United States and China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Residency training is internationally recognized as the only way for the physicians to be qualified to practice independently. China has instituted a new residency training program for the specialty of plastic surgery. Meanwhile, plastic surgery residency training programs in the United States are presently in a transition because of restricted work hours. The purpose of this study is to compare the current characteristics of plastic surgery residency training in 2 countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Flow path, structure, curriculum, operative experience, research, and evaluation of training in 2 countries were measured. The number of required cases was compared quantitatively whereas other aspects were compared qualitatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plastic surgery residency training programs in 2 countries differ regarding specific characteristics. Requirements to become a plastic surgery resident in the United States are more rigorous. Ownership structure of the regulatory agency for residency training in 2 countries is diverse. Training duration in the United States is more flexible. Clinical and research training is more practical and the method of evaluation of residency training is more reasonable in the United States. The job opportunities after residency differ substantially between 2 countries. Not every resident has a chance to be an independent surgeon and would require much more training time in China than it does in the United States.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plastic surgery residency training programs in the United States and China have their unique characteristics. The training programs in the United States are more standardized. Both the United States and China may complement each other to create training programs that will ultimately provide high-quality care for all people.
authors.affiliation: From the *Resident Training Program and †Department of Surgery at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; ‡Department of Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS; §Joseph M. Still Burn and Reconstructive Center, Jackson, MS; and ∥Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Jianmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Boheng
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yiqing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Taolin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Lineaweaver
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States