Have the New Training Pathways Enhanced Academic Productivity in Plastic Surgery?

RESULTS: The median size of a PS division was seven faculty. PS faculty had lower median publications/citations than GS and SS (PS: 25/328, GS: 35/607, SS: 40/713, p < 0.05). Publication (P) and citation (C) differences were observed at all ranks: assistant professor (PS: 11/101, GS: 13/169, SS: 19/249), associate professor (PS: 33/342, GS: 40/691, SS: 44/780) and professor (PS: 57/968, GS: 97/2451, SS: 101/2376). PS had a lower percentage of faculty with current/former NIH funding (PS: 13.5%, GS: 22.8%, and SS: 25.1%, p < 0.05). Academic productivity for PS faculty was dramatically improved in integrated residency programs. P/C for PS faculty from divisions with traditional 3-yr fellowships were 19/153, integrated 5yr residency were 25/329, and both traditional and 5-yr programs were 27/344, p < 0.05. Cranio-facial reconstructive and hand fellowships further increased productivity within the integrated residency-fellowship programs. P/C for programs that also had a cranio-facial reconstructive fellowship were 32/364, and for those that additionally had a hand fellowships were 45/536. PS faculty at divisions with integrated training programs also had a higher frequency of NIH funding (PS% with current/former NIH funding, 2-yr fellowships: 5.8%, integrated 5-yr residency: 7.9%, and both 5-yr/2-yr programs: 18.7%).