DiffErential attainment and Factors AssoCiated with Training applications and Outcomes (DE FACTO) study: plastic surgery in the United Kingdom

Abstract

In the UK, the pathway to Plastic Surgery training typically begins with the two-year Foundation Programme, followed by Core Surgical Training (CST), and then progression to Higher Surgical Training (ST3) in Plastic Surgery. Surgical training in the UK has become increasingly competitive with a growing disparity between the number of applications and available CST posts each year. In 2023, there were 2539 applicants for 609 CST posts resulting in a competition ratio of 4.17, which is greater than previous application cycles. Plastic Surgery remains one of the most popular yet competitive surgical specialties in the UK with 220 applicants for 52 posts in 2023, a competition ratio of 4.23.