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Careers in plastic surgery
BMJ Career Focus, 08/21/09

Freedlander E – Plastic and reconstructive surgery dates from as far back as ancient Egypt and has evolved to become one of the most innovative and exciting specialties. It is famous for the advances it has brought to the surgical profession, such as microsurgery and tissue engineering. Meanwhile, developments such as the first 80% facial transplant in the United States are making plastic surgery an increasingly exciting career choice. Plastic surgery is still a relatively small specialty, but the number of consultant posts has doubled in the last 20 years and it has become an integral part of hospital practice. This rise is expected to continue as demand grows for plastic surgeons’ specialist skills, which in turn will open up additional training posts in the future. The specialty is now attracting more women than other surgical specialties, too. Indeed, around 25% of plastic surgery trainees are women.

Pros

Extremely rewarding: surgeons have the ability to transform a person’s life
Varied caseload: surgery is not limited to any one age group or anatomical site
Fast moving and advanced: surgeons use the latest technology and techniques
Has a range of subspecialties, so most surgeons can carve out a niche
Opportunities to work all over the world
Opportunity to generate separate income through private practice

Cons

Very competitive: other medical pathways might be easier to follow
Limited funding: some trainees will need to pay for additional education courses themselves, which can be costly

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