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How can we inspire junior trainees to consider a career in plastic surgery as a basis to pursue humanitarian work?

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Abstract

Background

Humanitarian medicine and surgical aid (HMSA) is required in regions burdened by armed conflicts, natural disasters and epidemics. Plastic surgeons (PS) are often involved in humanitarian work for hand trauma, limb injuries, burns or reconstruction. This study aims to explore the motivations, deterrents and challenges of junior doctors in pursuing a career in HMSA, as well how many are interested in pursuing HMSA through plastic surgery.

Methods

An online survey was distributed to junior doctors across the UK via social media. The survey was completed by 185 junior doctors.

Results

72.4% (n = 34) of respondents wanted to gain experience in HMSA. 38.9% (n = 70) of respondents felt it was a ‘moral obligation’ to provide HMSA. Only 4.9% (n = 9) of trainees considered doing HMSA through the route of plastic surgery. The single biggest deterrent to pursuing HMSA was financial feasibility for 42.7% (n = 79) of responders. 85.9% (n = 159) of respondents did not know anyone involved in HMSA that could offer them advice, support or guidance within the field.

Conclusions

Trainee doctors are willing to take part in HMSA but are less inclined to do this through plastic surgery. Plastic surgical societies could help promote HMSA at conferences and provide an insight into the pathway and potentially through the creation of HMSA mentorship programmes for junior doctors. Non-profit plastic surgery organisations could promote trainee involvement in surgical admissions providing an insight into the role of a plastic surgeon in HMSA.

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Abbreviations

BFIRST:

British Foundation for International Reconstructive Surgery and Training

HMSA:

Humanitarian medical and surgical aid

LMIC:

Low- and middle-income countries

PS:

Plastic surgeons

RCSEd FRRHH:

Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Faculty of Remote, Rural and Humanitarian Healthcare

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Funding

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Umar Shafiq and Umar Rehman contributed equally to the paper and are joint first authors.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University Hospital of North Tees, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust, Stockton-on-Tees, UK

    Umar Shafiq

  2. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK

    Umar Rehman

  3. Department of Surgery, Rotherham General Hospital, The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, Rotherham, UK

    Nooruldeen Al-Asali

  4. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Lister Hospital, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, Stevenage, UK

    Manaf Khatib

  5. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK

    Naveen Cavale

Authors
  1. Umar Shafiq
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  2. Umar Rehman
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  3. Nooruldeen Al-Asali
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  4. Manaf Khatib
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  5. Naveen Cavale
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Umar Rehman.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval

Participants taking part in the survey provided implied consent to participate in the study and have their data used as part of research by voluntarily completing the survey. All data collected was anonymous, and no patient data was collected or used as part of the qualitative research. The National Health Service Research and Ethics Committee Tool demonstrated that ethical approval was not required for this study.

Consent to participate

All participants provided implied consent prior to the initiation and completion of the survey which was voluntary.

Consent for publication

All participants understood that their responses and data provided would be intended for publication; this was clarified prior to initiation/completion of the survey.

Conflict of interest

Naveen Cavale is the current Chair of the British Foundation for International Reconstructive Surgery and Training (BFIRST) charity. Umar Shafiq, Umar Rehman, Nooruldeen Al-Asali and Manaf Khatib declare no conflict of interest.

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Shafiq, U., Rehman, U., Al-Asali, N. et al. How can we inspire junior trainees to consider a career in plastic surgery as a basis to pursue humanitarian work?. Eur J Plast Surg 46, 1389–1395 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-023-02102-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-023-02102-z

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