Assessing the Knowledge and Insight of Medical Students into the Field of Plastic Surgery: A Step Toward Creating Well-Rounded Healthcare Professionals

TL;DR

This study explores how well medical students understand plastic surgery and finds that exposure improves their perception and knowledge of the field.

Contribution

The study identifies gaps in medical students' knowledge of plastic surgery and shows that clinical exposure and perception influence their understanding.

Findings

Medical students with clinical exposure had higher scores in plastic surgery knowledge.

Students who viewed plastic surgery as rewarding had higher scores.

Perception of plastic surgery as only cosmetic was linked to lower knowledge scores.

Abstract

Introduction

Plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) is unique in its versatility; however, there seems to be a lack of familiarity with the breadth of the discipline among healthcare workers and medical students.

Methods

This is a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study conducted between June and July 2021, targeting medical students at Kuwait University. The questionnaire examined three domains: demographics, perception, and knowledge of the scope of PRS.

Results

A total of 465 medical students completed the survey, with most (N=106, 22.8%) being in their final year (seventh year). The majority (N=414, 89%) of students had no previous clinical exposure to PRS. Among the several PRS disciplines, knowledge was highest in the aesthetic discipline (4.1/5). Awareness in the hand (0.82/5) and craniofacial (0.8/5) disciplines were the lowest. Students in their clinical years had a higher overall PRS score when compared to those in their pre-clinical years (10.9 versus 9.1, p<0.0001). Participants who believed that PRS is a rewarding specialty had higher overall scores compared with those who disagreed (10.3 versus 9.5, p=0.055). Participants who believed that PRS is synonymous with cosmetic surgery had a lower overall score (9.3 versus 10.4, p=0.008). Furthermore, participants who would consider a career in PRS had a better understanding of all aspects of the specialty as evidenced by higher overall scores.

Conclusion

Exposure to the field of PRS improves medical students' insight into the various disciplines of PRS and ultimately influences how the field is perceived. Efforts should be made toward promoting the exposure of medical students to PRS through clinical placements and/or didactic lectures.

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