title: Young Plastic Surgeons Forum member survey: Part I. Investing in the future: attitudes toward the Plastic Surgery Foundation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Professional and social changes have resulted in decreased involvement in organizations. Little is currently known about young plastic surgeons' attitudes toward the Plastic Surgery Foundation and its sponsored activities. The authors gathered opinions of young plastic surgeons to determine factors related to participation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 21-question online survey was e-mailed to all 2155 members of the Young Plastic Surgeons Forum. Questions were related to demographics, current involvement, and initiatives in education, research, funding, and health policy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 2155 forum members, 397 responded (19 percent response rate). Most had not contributed to the Plastic Surgery Foundation. The primary reason cited was financial hardship, and respondents noted this would change with increased practice revenue. Involvement in American Society of Plastic Surgeons committees correlated with contribution to Plastic Surgery Foundation. The main educational initiatives favored by Young Plastic Surgeons included critical analysis of literature/evidence-based medicine, statistical analysis, and compensation issues. According to respondents, primary areas for organizational focus should be clinical research, increased representation of young surgeons, and leadership development. Respondents would be more willing to donate if they could earmark their contributions for specific purposes, including leadership training, clinical research, and medical missions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Methods to recruit and retain young surgeons into the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and in contributing to the Plastic Surgery Foundation should include opportunities to participate at a decreased cost, focus on compensation issues, clinical research, leadership development, and increased young surgeon representation. These data should be used to guide efforts to increase young member involvement.
authors: Detroit, Mich.; Memphis, Tenn.; Houston and San Antonio, Texas; Stony Brook, N.Y.; and Oxnard, Calif. From the Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Henry Ford Health System and Wayne State University; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Baptist Cancer Center-Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center; private practice; Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stony Brook School of Medicine; and Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center.
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Chen
authors: Jon P
authors: JP
authors: Ver Halen
authors: C Bob
authors: CB
authors: Basu
authors: Sami
authors: S
authors: Khan
authors: Howard
authors: H
authors: Wang
authors: Lynn
authors: L
authors: Jeffers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000191:economics; D003625:Data Collection; D005582:Foundations; D006291:Health Policy / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008493:Medical Missions / Q000191:economics; D008875:Middle Aged; D012955:Societies, Medical; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000191:economics*; D014481:United States