Prerequisite training

Abstract

Traditionally plastic surgery and the other general surgical subspecialties have tin ned to general surgery to provide the preteq-uisite education and training of their prospective residents. The specialty of plastic surgery has de facto favored full training in general surgery because at present the chief resident year is the only common denominator within general surgical training. For the reasons cited, that arrangement has and will become less tenable for all specialties in the future. What has been proposed is a revitalization of a “track” system for plastic surgery and the other general surgical subspecialties. The success of such a system would hinge on the standardization of curriculum and experience in both requisite and prerequisite training. © 1989 American Society of Plastic Surgeons.