Webinar during COVID-19 Improves Knowledge of Changes to the Plastic Surgery Residency Application Process

Arman T. Serebrakian, MD, MS; Ricardo O. Amador, MD; Joani M. Christensen, MD; Brent B. Pickrell, MD; Timothy J. Irwin, MD; Sarah J. Karinja, MD; Justin M. Broyles, MD; Eric C. Liao, MD, PhD; Kyle R. Eberlin, MD; Lydia A. Helliwell, MD

doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003247

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open (Oct 2020)

Webinar during COVID-19 Improves Knowledge of Changes to the Plastic Surgery Residency Application Process

Arman T. Serebrakian, MD, MS,
Ricardo O. Amador, MD,
Joani M. Christensen, MD,
Brent B. Pickrell, MD,
Timothy J. Irwin, MD,
Sarah J. Karinja, MD,
Justin M. Broyles, MD,
Eric C. Liao, MD, PhD,
Kyle R. Eberlin, MD,
Lydia A. Helliwell, MD

Affiliations

Arman T. Serebrakian, MD, MS: From the * Harvard Plastic Surgery Residency Training Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
Ricardo O. Amador, MD: From the * Harvard Plastic Surgery Residency Training Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
Joani M. Christensen, MD: From the * Harvard Plastic Surgery Residency Training Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
Brent B. Pickrell, MD: From the * Harvard Plastic Surgery Residency Training Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
Timothy J. Irwin, MD: From the * Harvard Plastic Surgery Residency Training Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
Sarah J. Karinja, MD: From the * Harvard Plastic Surgery Residency Training Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
Justin M. Broyles, MD: † Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
Eric C. Liao, MD, PhD: ‡ Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
Kyle R. Eberlin, MD: ‡ Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
Lydia A. Helliwell, MD: † Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000003247
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 8, no. 10
p. e3247

Abstract

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Background:. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted residency application process for all specialties, including plastic surgery residency. Almost all plastic surgery residency programs have suspended visiting sub-internship rotations. This study quantifies the impact of a webinar through an analysis of poll questions and a post-webinar survey sent to all registered participants. Methods:. A dedicated webinar was organized and held by the Harvard Plastic Surgery Residency Training Program. All attendees were asked several poll questions during the webinar. The 192 participants were also sent a post-webinar survey. Results:. The response rate was 68.2% (n = 131). Respondents were more confident about matching into a plastic surgery residency program at the end of the webinar compared with before the webinar (P < 0.001). Respondents who did not have a plastic surgery residency program at their home institution were less confident at the start of the webinar (P = 0.009). In addition, respondents who had not taken time off for research or for other endeavors during or after medical school were less confident about their chances to match at the start of the webinar (P = 0.034). Conclusions:. An online webinar program increased confidence levels of medical students interested in applying for residency positions in plastic surgery. Residency programs should consider webinars as a method to inform and assist medical students during the upcoming application season.

Published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open

ISSN: 2169-7574 (Online)
Publisher: Wolters Kluwer
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Surgery
Website: http://www.prsgo.com

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