30. Survey Investigation of The Career Trajectories of Craniofacial-Trained Plastic Surgeons

PURPOSE: Current literature documents a waning interest and pursuit of craniofacial surgery. This survey-based study examines CF-trained surgeons’ motives, practice patterns, and obstacles faced. METHODS: A RedCap survey consisting of 14 questions with some free-text response opportunities was sent to 310 prior CF fellow graduates within the U.S. and Canada from 2010-2021. Responses were collected until end of May, 2024. RESULTS: The response rate was 34.5% (107/310). The majority were white males ages 41-50 years. Initially 81.3% of respondents desired CF practice, and 78.5% obtained a CF job after fellowship. At the time of the survey, 71.0% endorsed having a CF practice. The distribution of job changes is demonstrated in Figure 1. Figure 2 lists negative factors associated with initial jobs identified by respondents. Most frequent cases performed among fellows were pediatric craniosynostosis (91.6%) and cleft surgery (90.7%), decreasing to 55.1% and 64.5%, respectively at the time of survey. Facial aesthetics and facial feminization surgeries increased in frequency at time of survey compared to during fellowship. CONCLUSION: Recent success in achieving a CF career is much higher than previously reported, and those with a CF practice are less likely to change careers than those in a non-CF practice after fellowship.