Academic Aesthetic Surgery Census and Consensus Conference Print

The ASERF Scientific Research Committee and Board of Directors are pleased to announce the following grant award:

Researcher: Galen Perdikis, MD and Felmont Eaves, III, MD (CO-PIs)

Grant Award: ASERF Interim Grant

Amount Awarded: $25,500

Project Name:
Academic Aesthetic Surgery Census and Consensus Conference

Project Summary: 

Hypothesis: There are significant challenges and opportunities for aesthetic surgery within academic institutions which are often more focused on and conducive to reconstructive practices.  However the development of successful academic aesthetic surgery practices and educational capabilities are key to promoting faculty practice development, departmental/division financial stability, research in aesthetic surgery, and comprehensive resident and fellow education.  By developing a clear understanding of the current state of aesthetic aesthetic surgery and developing strategies to address the challenges of aesthetic surgery within academic centers the specialty as a whole can be strengthened.

Goals:    1. Perform a comprehensive audit of the current state of aesthetic surgery at academic institutions.  The audit will identify common obstacles and strengths, financial implications (compensation, department/division net impact), faculty capabilities and aesthetic practice development (performance evaluation, promotion), aesthetic research capabilities, and aesthetic education (aesthetic topics, resident aesthetic case exposure/participation, resident aesthetic clinics, etc.)  (Draft:  See attachment A).
               2. Round table in person meeting to analyze audit findings and formulate best practices and strategies in the format of a consensus statement.
               3. Dissemination of best practices to all Academic Centers through ASAPS, ACAPS, & AAPS
               4. Assess impact and changes successfully made based on recommendations by re-assessment (repeat audit in 2-3 years).

Relevance:    Aesthetic surgery is one of the pillars of our specialty and is of paramount importance to our financial viability as departments and divisions in the future. We need to be able to provide state of the art training in aesthetic surgery to remain the ultimate standard bearers of quality and outcomes in aesthetic surgery. The practice of aesthetic surgery at academic institutions and the capabilities, functionality, and institutional support thereof is widely variable. The reasons for this are not fully understood and have not been studied adequately. By studying underlying barriers and opportunities and by bringing together leaders to develop consensus on successful strategies and tactics to build and promote aesthetic surgery we hope to help academic aesthetic centers demonstrate relevance to their institutions and garner critical support. Over the long term the group intends to make participation available to all academic programs involved in residency training and to explore ways to expand aesthetic surgery related research, an attractive option considering the research capacity and experience housed in academic centers.