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J Reconstr Microsurg 2022; 38(05): 361-370
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1733977
Original Article

Does Surgeon Training Affect Patient Perception of Surgeon Skill in DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction?

Deepa Bhat
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York
,
Tejas Kollu
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York
,
Tinatini Giutashvili
2   Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine, Henderson, Nevada
,
Ashit Patel 
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York
,
Joseph A. Ricci
3   Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
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Abstract

Background The aim of this study is to investigate whether a surgeon's training background and years of experience advertised on a social media platform influences perception of surgeon competence, patient recruitment likelihood, and referral likelihood.

Methods A mockup of an Instagram post was created using a before and after picture of a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap patient. The caption under each post was changed to reflect one of six possible training categories: 1 year of experience, 10 years of experience, 20 years of experience, fellowship, Ivy League training, and a null case (with no training information against which all other cases were compared). Surveys asked female responders to evaluate surgeon competence, likelihood of becoming a patient, and likelihood of making a referral to their friends or family. Amazon MTurk crowdsourcing platform was used to distribute the survey.

Results A total of 1,878 responses were recorded, with the majority identifying as Caucasian (59%). The surgeon with 20 years of experience had the highest patient recruitment scores when compared with the null, 1 year, 10 year, and Ivy League training backgrounds (p = 0.0314, p = 0.0065, p = 0.0207, and p = 0.0244, respectively). The majority of responders (67%) preferred a female surgeon. Responders with a history of breast reconstruction assigned lower surgeon competence scores compared with women without a history of breast cancer (p <0.0001). Women who underwent breast reconstruction were also less likely to make referrals to their family and friends (p <0.0001).

Conclusion Surgeon's experience influences whether a patient is likely to seek care from a plastic surgeon. Personal history of breast cancer has a negative impact on perceived surgeon competence as well as patient recruitment likelihood and referral likelihood. Emphasizing fewer years of training or Ivy League training did not make an appreciable difference in patient perception of competence or likelihood of recruiting a new patient.

Keywords

breast reconstruction - DIEP flap - Instagram - patients choice - surgeon training

Previous Presentation

This work has not previously been published or presented.




Publication History

Received: 06 February 2021

Accepted: 22 June 2021

Article published online:
28 August 2021

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