PURPOSE: Top applicants from US medical schools compete for the few plastic surgery positions offered nationwide, making Plastic Surgery the most competitive specialty to match in. The specialty is even more competitive for international medical graduates (IMGs), with match rates being extremely low. In this study we aimed to identify the characteristics of the IMGs who successfully matched into a Plastic Surgery position.
METHODS: An anonymous, 28-question survey was sent to all US Plastic Surgery training programs to be distributed to the IMGs currently enrolled or recently graduated from each program. Questions to evaluate academic achievements, clinical background, number of publications/grants, years of research completed before applying and board scores were included. NRMP and SF official match data was used to validate the pool of applicants for the Integrated and Independent tracks respectively.
RESULTS: Response rates was 72% for IMGs matching into an integrated residency program (IMG-Int) and 18% for IMGs holding an independent position (IMG-Ind) within the last 7 years (2009–2016). Overall, 42% of IMG-Int, had another degree other than MD (PhD, Masters or other). In addition, 28% had >15 publications at the time of application, 28% between 10–15 and 22% between 5–10. Furthermore, 41% had completed three years of research prior to applying. The majority (33%) had USMLE step 1 scores in the range of 231–240 and Step 2 scores in the range of 231–240 where the most common (35%). Of all matched IMG-Int, 27% had already completed a surgical residency in their home country (plastic surgery: 60%; general surgery: 40%). All successful applicants matched in one of their top three choices, with 71% matching in their top choice. In regards to IMG-Ind, only two (18%) had another degree other than MD (PhD and Masters). Only 9% had >15 publications at the time of application, with the majority (45%) having between 3–5. More than half had completed two years of research prior to applying (57%). The majority (45%) had USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 scores in the range of 241–250. Only two (18%) had already completed a surgical residency in their home country (general surgery and obstetrics and gynecology). All applicants had completed a US general surgery-training program. All successful applicants matched in one of their top five choices, with 55% matching in their top choice. Overall, increasing Step 1 scores significantly correlated with any IMG candidate’s probability to match to their number one choice (p=0.052).
CONCLUSIONS: Our survey captures the profile of successful applicants matching into a plastic surgery training program. Matching into a Plastic Surgery residency as an IMG is an extremely competitive endeavor. Applicants who matched in an integrated program displayed more academic achievements with a higher number of research years, publications and grants awarded. Furthermore, 1/3 of them had completed a surgical residency in their home country. Conversely, applicants who matched in an independent program had a less academic-based background likely due to having completed a general surgery training in the US prior to applying to Plastic Surgery residency.
A.A. Leto Barone*: None. G. Kokosis: None. M. Grezlak: None. S. Alfadil: None. E. Davidson: None. S. Lifchez: None. A.H. Dorafshar: None.