Impact of International Medical Graduates in Academic Plastic Surgery
Francesco M. Egro, MBChB MSc MRCS, Julia Lai, BS, Brandon T. Smith, MS, Nallammai Muthiah, BS, Vu T. Nguyen, MD.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Background: International medical graduates (IMGs) play a significant role in meeting United States health care needs as well as contribute to a more diverse provider workforce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, characteristics, and academic productivity of plastic surgery IMG faculty. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to compare characteristics of IMGs against US medical graduates (USMGs) including demographics, trainings, academic ranks, leadership positions, number of publications and citations, and h-index.Results: IMGs represent 13.6% of all 918 academic plastic surgeons in the United States, with the majority having graduated from Canada (24.0%) and India (12.0%). IMGs were more likely to graduate from independent programs (OR=2.3, p=0.0035), have completed research fellowship (OR=2.3, p=0.0001) and burn fellowship (OR=6.1, p<0.0001). Programs led by IMG chairs employed more IMGs faculty (29.3% vs. 11.7%, p<0.0001), and IMG employment was inversely correlated with the population of the city in which the program was based (r=-0.17, p=<0.0001) and inversely correlated with the number of academic plastic surgery faculty employed (r=-0.14, p=<0.0001). IMGs had comparable h-indices, number of publications, citations, and NIH funding. IMGs also had comparable rates of attaining leadership positions such as residency director, fellowship director and chair. Conclusions: The contribution of IMGs in academic plastic surgery was evident based on research productivity, academic ranks, and leadership positions. IMGs are more likely to be employed in smaller programs, smaller cities, and in programs led by IMG chairs. This study may help guide aspiring IMG academics and aid in hiring decisions at academic institutions.
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