Abstract / Summary
Abstract Background Historically, plastic surgery in the UK has been a male-dominated field with limited demographic diversity. Entry into the speciality remains competitive with a 1:6.69 competition ratio. While diversity within the field is rising, it remains unclear if medical students from diverse backgrounds are receiving the appropriate professional developmental opportunities and support required to pursue plastic surgery. Methodology: Institutional ethical approval was obtained. An online questionnaire was developed and distributed nationally to medical students between July and October 2024. The survey aimed to explore what barriers UK medical students face when pursuing plastic surgery training. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square and Monte Carlo tests (p < 0.05). Results A total of 702 participants (55.1% female; 47.6% Asian, 32.7% White) responded across eight medical schools, significant regional and ethnic disparities were identified in undergraduate plastic surgery exposure. While participation in professional development was consistent across most demographics, non-binary students (n = 11) reported significantly greater difficulty navigating these opportunities due to gender identity or expression (p = 0.006). 73.5% of respondents remained unsure whether the national selection process was fair. Perceptions of the selection criteria varied significantly based on the gender, region, and ethnicity. Conclusion UK medical students face a significant lack of awareness to plastic surgery training. The findings highlight a "bottleneck" in mentorship and professional development that disproportionately affects certain demographic groups. To ensure a diverse and equitable future workforce, medical schools and national bodies must standardise early exposure, expand mentorship programs, and address the financial and systemic barriers identified by aspiring trainees.