Plastic surgery training in the United Kingdom and Ireland in 2025: Results of the National Training Survey

Abstract

Introduction Plastic surgery training in the UK and Ireland is continuously evolving in response to changing healthcare priorities and workforce demands. The UK and Ireland Plastic Surgery Trainees Association conducted a survey among plastic surgery trainees holding national training numbers to elucidate current attitudes towards training. Methods A cross-sectional survey of all plastic surgery trainees was developed using a web-based application and distributed via email newsletters, social media and messaging apps. Results A total of 142 trainees completed the survey, representing all training years and regions. The most popular career aspirations were hand surgery (31%), breast surgery (20%) and head and neck surgery (9%). A few trainees reported receiving 2 h of local teaching per week (15%) or dedicated time for audit, research or personal study (25%). The majority (81.6%) would recommend their training region to others. The median number of hours worked per week was 56 (48 paid and 8 unpaid). More trainees rated the quality of their aesthetic training negatively than positively (42% vs 32%). Those with dedicated aesthetic rotations were significantly more likely to rate their training positively (p <0.0001). Key factors affecting training were service provision (30%), operative exposure (18%) and consultant willingness to teach (12%). Trainees unanimously supported the opportunity to undertake fellowships during ST8 (96%) and firm-based structures (96%). Conclusions Overall, plastic surgery trainees reported high levels of training satisfaction. Recommendations include expanding and standardising access to aesthetic rotations and fellowships during training across the training regions.