Public Perceptions of Plastic Surgery: Analysis and Implications for the Future of Our Specialty
The general public largely misunderstands the role that plastic surgeons play in patient care. We sought to identify public perceptions of plastic surgery in a major U.S. urban setting.
Methods/Technique:
A short, anonymous survey was distributed to the public in all major boroughs of New York City. Respondents were asked to choose the surgeon they thought were experts in twelve specific clinical issues representative of required competencies by both the Plastic Surgery Residency Review Committee and the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Results/Complications:
A total of 1000 surveys were collected. Respondent demographics were: 53% female, age (6% under age 21, 31% age 21-24, 46% age 25-40, 10% age 41-54 and 8% age 55 and older) and education level (4% did not finish high school, 10% finished high school/GED, 19% completed some college, 43% have a college degree, 12% have a masters degree and 13% have a doctorate degree). Percent of respondents who chose plastic surgeons as experts in the following procedures: rhinoplasty- 61%, mandible fracture- 12%, blepharoplasty- 71%, cleft lip and palate surgery-46%, thumb replantation- 32%, hand/finger fracture- 18%, rhytidectomy- 85%, breast reconstruction- 87%, breast augmentation- 96%, open leg wound- 15%, open wound on the face- 40%, and botox- 47%.
Conclusion:
Unfortunately, many conditions at the core of plastic surgery remain outside the realm of plastic surgery in the opinion of this group.