Special Edition: Everything Research (The Good, Bad & even worse)

It’s time to have an open conversation about the true state of research in our field, and I need your input to make this discussion meaningful. Before we dive deeper, I’d love to get a quick sense of your research experience:

What Motivates You to Do Research?

First off, why are we doing this? Is your research motivated by a passion for discovery, or is it more about padding your CV? Don’t worry, there are no wrong answers here—just honest ones. I’m asking you to rank these motivations from most to least important:

The Biggest Barrier to High-Quality Research

Let’s face it—high-quality research is hard. But what makes it so difficult? Is it the lack of time, funding, or maybe something else? I want to hear from you:

Part-Time vs. Full-Time Research

Here’s a hot topic: should doctors juggle research with their clinical duties, or should research be a full-time gig? Let’s weigh the pros and cons together.

Many believe that compulsory research doesn’t necessarily produce good science or encourage lifelong learning. It often wastes resources and creates avoidable problems. Offering two distinct career paths for training could better achieve objectives. In surgery and research, there are many right ways to succeed; insisting on only one approach is usually wrong.

Moreover, assessing the "quality" of a surgical trainee should focus on their operational skills.

That said, academic plastic surgery is vital, with high-quality trials like the Reconstructive Surgery Trials Network (RSTN) setting new standards and pushing boundaries in our field.

Lots of love,
P'Fella ❤️

We’re excited to announce our first guest on the podcast: Justin Wormald 🥁 Justin has excelled in producing high-quality research in plastic surgery and has built an impressive network through the RSTN.

As an academic clinical lecturer at Oxford Trauma and Emergency Care and deputy director of the Surgical Intervention Trials Unit at the University of Oxford, he brings valuable insights. This is a great chance to ask all your research-related questions.

If there's anything you want to hear from us or Justin in this upcoming research episode, drop your suggestions below.

If you haven't got the chance yet, here's a reminder to check out our fresh articles, clinical cases, and surgical techniques focused on nerve compressions.

Here's an overview of our article on Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome.

A range of studies have explored the role of mandatory surgical research during residency. Brochu (2018) and Papasavas (2013) both found that a structured research program can significantly increase academic productivity, with the latter reporting a three-fold increase in scientific presentations. Thakur (2000) and Sabir (2003) highlighted the positive impact of research training on career outcomes, with a higher likelihood of holding academic positions and increased scholarly activity. Atesok (2012) and Schultz (1996) emphasized the importance of integrating research into residency education, with the latter providing key elements for successful resident research. However, Benesch (2022) cautioned against viewing research as a one-time activity, instead advocating for a culture of scientific discovery.