Journal Article

Impact of Plastic Surgery Medical Training on Medical Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes, Preferences, and Perceived Benefits: Comparative Study

Araggad, Lamees, Jabaiti, Samir, Altarawneh, Saba, Thiabatbtoush, Shatha, Hamdan-Mansour, Ayman M., Isleem, Ula N., Al Ibraheem, Ghaida'a, Alryalat, Saif Aldeen

2021

Overview

Introduction: Misconceptions surrounding the discipline of plastic surgery are widespread public and medical students and professionals, as well. The purpose of this study was to explore how the inclusion of plastic surgery rotation into the medical curriculum affects medical students’ knowledge, attitudes, and preferences regarding plastic surgery specialization and referral. Design and Methods: A descriptive-correlational design was utilized to collect data from 200 medical students in the final two years of education from two separate six-year medical programs in Jordan. Data was collected using self-reported questionnaires regarding knowledge of surgical procedures allocation, attitude towards plastic surgery, preference of specialization, and benefits of plastic surgery to physicians and patients. Results: Analysis showed that medical students of plastic surgery integrate rotation (program A) had a higher average score of correct procedure-allocation (M=12.57, SD = 3.14), compared to non-integrated plastic surgery rotation program (program B) (M=8.29, SD=3.05) . About 83% (n =83) of students in program A had their knowledge on plastic surgery from direct exposure to a plastic surgeon, compared to 43% (n=43) of program B, and 24% (n=24) of students in program A reported that their perception of plastic surgery influenced by media compared to 62% (n=62) of those in program B. Conclusions: Medical students exposed to plastic surgery education are more confident about procedures of plastic surgery and had more reliable sources of knowledge about plastic surgery than those who were not exposed to plastic surgery rotation. Significance for public health Plastic surgery procedures contribute to large proportion of the worldwide surgical disease burden. Appropriate and timely intervention using plastic surgery has significant impact on multiple medical conditions and reduce cost of complications. Plastic surgery interventions acknowledged as low cost to resolve disabling conditions. However, misconception about plastic surgery may contribute in delayed referral and untimely and inappropriate intervention that may cause further burden to individuals; medically and economically. Comparing between medical programs that include plastic rotation and those who are not will increase the public health awareness, and in particular among medical staff, regarding benefits and needs of plastic surgery interventions to health of individuals. Major medical conditions such as deformities and disabilities can be resolved with timely plastic surgery interventions that improves health of people and lowering medical cost and burden of diseases.

• Publisher: PAGEPress Publications, Pavia, Italy,SAGE Publishing
• Subject: Cosmetic surgery / medical school / plastic surgery / reconstructive surgery