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J Reconstr Microsurg 2025; 41(09): 781-786
DOI: 10.1055/a-2509-1169
Original Article

Career Paths of Young Fellowship-Trained Microsurgeons

Authors

  • Christopher R. Howell

    1   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Madeline G. Tierney

    2   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

  • Allen Westerfield

    3   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky

  • Amanda K. Silva

    4   Department of Plastic Surgery, Maxillofacial, and Oral Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
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Abstract

Background

Microsurgery is a highly specialized field requiring years of dedicated training and proper support to sustain a practice. We sought to describe the career paths of young microsurgeons and investigate factors associated with switching jobs.

Methods

Public data on surgeons who completed a microsurgery fellowship between 2016 and 2020 were collected. Analysis of job switching was determined using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

One hundred and sixty-seven graduates were analyzed. Most initially practiced microsurgery (92.2%) and 61.7% went into academics. Fifty-two (31.4%) have switched jobs and Kaplan–Meier estimates that 36.0% will switch by 5 years into practice. Over half (58%) changed practice setting type, 19% left academics, and 12% stopped performing microsurgery.

Gender, residency training type, taking a job where they trained, and the presence of a microsurgery fellowship had no effect on job switching (p = 0.74, 0.95, 0.71, 0.26). Surgeons in academics were significantly more likely to change jobs (p = 0.04).

Gender, residency training type, or taking a job where they trained had no effect on leaving academics (p = 0.89, 0.42, 0.37). Taking a first job where a microsurgery fellowship was present was significantly associated with staying in academics (p = 0.04)

Conclusion

Most microsurgery fellows take jobs performing microsurgery. Thirty-six percent will switch jobs in 5 years, more than half will change practice setting type, and about 20% will leave academics. A minority will stop performing microsurgery. Surgeons in academics are more likely to switch jobs. Taking a job where there is a microsurgery fellowship is significantly associated with staying in academics during the switch.

Keywords

career - microsurgery - academic medicine

Note

This study was presented at The American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery Annual Meeting on January 15, 2024 at Nassau, Bahamas.




Publication History

Received: 15 July 2024

Accepted: 30 December 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
31 December 2024

Article published online:
27 January 2025

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