title: What Makes a Plastic Surgery Residency Program Attractive? An Applicant's Perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Plastic surgery is among the most competitive specialties in medicine, but little is known about the attributes of programs that are most attractive to successful applicants. This study aimed to understand and provide insights regarding program characteristics that are most influential to students when ranking plastic surgery programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous online survey was conducted with newly matched plastic surgery residents for the integrated and combined Match in 2012 and 2013. Subjects were queried regarding their demographics, qualifications, application experiences, and motivations for residency program selection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 92 of 245 matched plastic surgery residents (38 percent) responded to the survey. The perception of resident happiness was the most positive factor influencing program ranking, followed by high operative volume, faculty mentorship, and strong research infrastructure. Perception of a program as "malignant" was the most negative attribute. Applicants with Step 1 scores greater than 245 received significantly more interviews (p =0.001) and considered resident benefits less important (p < 0.05), but geographic location more important (p =0.005). Applicants who published more than two articles also received more interviews (p =0.001) and ranked a strong research infrastructure and program reputation as significantly more important (p < 0.05). Forty-two percent of applicants completed an away rotation at the program with which they matched, and these applicants were more likely to match at their number one ranked program (p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plastic surgery applicants have differing preferences regarding the ideal training program, but some attributes resonate. These trends can guide programs for improvement in attracting the best applicants.
authors.affiliation: Stanford, Calif.; and Lexington, Ky. From the Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Department of Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Division, Stanford University School of Medicine; the University of Kentucky College of Medicine; and the Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Kentucky.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Atashroo
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Luan
authors.forename: Krishna S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Vyas
authors.forename: Elizabeth R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Zielins
authors.forename: Zeshaan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Maan
authors.forename: Dominik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Duscher
authors.forename: Graham G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Walmsley
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Lynch
authors.forename: Daniel L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Davenport
authors.forename: Derrick C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Longaker
authors.forename: Henry C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Vasconez
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D009042:Motivation; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000193:education*; D014481:United States