Emerging perceptions of facial plastic surgery among medical students

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of medi cal students regarding facial aesthetic surgery and those specialists most likely to perform aesthetic or reconstructive facial surgery. METHODS: A survey was designed based on a review of the literature to asses s the desirable characteristics and the perceived role of the facial plasti c and reconstructive surgeon (FPRS). The surveys were distributed to 2 popu lations: medical students from 4 medical schools and members of the general public. RESULTS: A total of 339 surveys were collected, 217 from medical students a nd 122 from the general public. Medical students and the public had similar responses. The results demonstrated that respondents preferred a male plas tic surgeon from the ages of 41 to 50 years old and would look to their fam ily doctor for a recommendation. Facial aesthetic and reconstructive surger y was considered the domain of maxillofacial and general plastic surgeons, not the FPRS. CONCLUSION: Integration of the FPRS into the medical school curriculum may help to improve the perceived role of the specialty within the medical comm unity. It is important for the specialty to communicate to aspiring physici ans the dedicated training of an otolaryngologist specializing in FPRS.