Aesthetic surgical training in the UK independent sector--the clients' view: Results of a survey on 155 private patients.

As training opportunities in cosmetic surgery become less frequent in teaching hospitals, this survey set out to examine the attitudes of patients towards extending this training into the independent health sector. We questioned 155 private patients, 95% of who were happy for trainees to sit in during their consultations. Of these, 85% were comfortable with the presence of the trainee throughout their appointments and 92% said they saw advantages in having such trainees present. However, patients were less enthusiastic about trainees carrying out procedures, under consultant supervision and for a reduced fee. The survey found that while 49% felt it was a good idea, only 32% would consider it for themselves. Seventeen percent of patients thought this offer alone was inappropriate. This survey has shown that while the vast majority of private patients supported and were happy to participate in higher surgical training during private consultations, fewer would consider the possibility of cosmetic surgery performed by supervised trainees for reduced fees. The implications of these findings for higher surgical training in Plastic Surgery in the UK are discussed.