Trainee and trainer experiences and recommendations for plastic surgery training: A qualitative pilot study

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has compounded existing training issues for plastic surgeons. The issues which exist result from a complex interplay of system, generational and individual factors, and can be hard to tease out by quantitative means. This pilot study aimed to investigate the perceptions of trainees and trainers of plastic surgical training in the UK. Methods: Ten semi-structured interviews were performed using purposive sampling in a central London plastic surgical unit. These were coded into and discussed in four themes: Medical directives and service demands; Sociocultural norms within plastic surgical training; Equity and access and Plastic surgery training methods. Results: This study demonstrated that current plastic surgery training is not optimised for learning or wellbeing, and that inequities are fostered, to the detriment of the specialty. Investment and planning is required to support our trainers and protect the diversity of our trainee group, with efficient and monitored learning essential to maintain our breadth and competence of practice. Conclusion: Expanding this work through a broader study could provide valuable information to contribute to the development of future training schemes and curricula within British plastic surgery.