Bergman Hannah J, Jehle Charles C, Khansa Ibrahim
From the Division of Pediatric Plastic & Craniofacial Surgery, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO.
Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS.
Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2025 Jan 29;13(1):e6436. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000006436. eCollection 2025 Jan.
The field of plastic and reconstructive surgery has recently made a dramatic shift toward attention to mental health, with residency curricula expanding to include training on burnout prevention and the promotion of well-being. After graduation, however, new surgeons face a difficult year of preparation for the oral board certification examination. This group of young surgeons remains largely unstudied and undersupported throughout what may be the most challenging period of their educational journey.
In spring of 2024, an electronic survey was sent to members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons who had completed their oral board examination within the past 3 years. Demographics, study habits, utilization of preparatory courses, and aspects of mental and physical health during the examination year were explored, and factors impacting well-being were identified.
Thirty-two respondents were included in the analysis, 85.7% of whom reported passing the examination on their first attempt. Most began in-earnest studying 1-3 months before the examination, with the majority studying 11-15 hours/week. The majority utilized study groups and preparatory courses. Half of the respondents reported that the examination was a financial burden. Anxiety and depression related to the examination were reported by 81.5% and 25.9% of respondents, respectively. Seeking medical attention and self-medicating was reported by 18.52% of respondents.
Many examinees experience mental health concerns during the preparation period for the oral board examination. Nevertheless, measures to support well-being may exist and should be offered both during and after the examination preparation period.
整形与重建外科领域最近已大幅转向关注心理健康，住院医师课程不断扩展，纳入了预防职业倦怠和促进幸福感的培训。然而，毕业后，新外科医生面临着为口腔委员会认证考试进行艰难备考的一年。在他们教育旅程中可能最具挑战性的这段时期，这群年轻外科医生在很大程度上仍未得到充分研究和支持。
2024年春季，向美国整形外科医师协会中在过去3年内完成口腔委员会考试的成员发送了一份电子调查问卷。调查探讨了人口统计学信息、学习习惯、备考课程的使用情况以及考试年份的身心健康状况，并确定了影响幸福感的因素。
32名受访者纳入分析，其中85.7%报告首次尝试就通过了考试。大多数人在考试前1 - 3个月开始认真学习，多数人每周学习11 - 15小时。大多数人利用了学习小组和备考课程。一半的受访者表示考试是一项经济负担。分别有81.5%和25.9%的受访者报告与考试相关的焦虑和抑郁。18.52%的受访者报告寻求医疗帮助和自行用药。
许多考生在口腔委员会考试的备考期间会出现心理健康问题。尽管如此，可能存在支持幸福感的措施，应在考试准备期间及之后提供。
