Knowledge, perceptions, and exposure related to plastic and reconstructive surgery among respondents from selected university networks in five countries: a descriptive online convenience-sampled survey

Abstract Background Plastic surgery includes both reconstructive and aesthetic procedures. Previous studies have reported incomplete recognition of the specialty’s scope among medical students and have identified limited curricular exposure and media-based information as commonly reported features. This descriptive survey aimed to characterize scenario-level recognition, perceptions, prior exposure, reported information sources, and career interest related to plastic and reconstructive surgery among medical students and interns recruited through selected university networks in five countries. Methods We conducted a descriptive multicountry online survey of 2,445 medical students and interns recruited by convenience sampling through selected university and collaborator networks in Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Palestine, and Sudan between December 2024 and June 2025. Results Item-level responses varied across scenarios. Plastic surgery was selected by 82.7% for facelift, 79.7% for liposuction, and 77.1% for breast reconstruction. Responses were more dispersed for scenarios with multidisciplinary overlap, including extensor tendon repair, jaw fracture, brachial plexus injury, and congenital facial paralysis. The exploratory total score had a median of 8 (IQR 7–9). Conclusions In this convenience-sampled survey, respondents showed variable recognition of the clinical scope of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Recognition was highest for aesthetic procedures and breast reconstruction, whereas responses were more variable for several reconstructive conditions involving multidisciplinary management. These findings describe the surveyed cohort and should not be interpreted as nationally representative.