Comparing Independent and Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Models: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

There are currently 2 approved residency training models in the United States conferring eligibility for the American Board of Plastic Surgery examination - the integrated pathway and the independent pathway. While both pathways allow for board certification, there has been much debate regarding the effectiveness of one training model over the other. In this article, we review the existing literature to compare these pathways with regard to quality of trainees, proficiency of graduates, and practice or career outcomes. Ongoing studies are strongly encouraged to continue to identify areas of improvement for both types of training programs.