2023 Volume 43 Issue 7 Pages 365-374
Introduction: Plastic and reconstructive surgery (keiseigeka in Japanese) is relatively unknown in Japan; thus, it is important to raise awareness of this medical field. To analyze the current understanding of plastic and reconstructive surgery in Japan and consider measures to improve it, we evaluated the awareness of this field in two different hospitals in Japan.
Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate knowledge of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Toranomon Hospital (Tokyo) and Hamanomachi Hospital (Fukuoka). We recruited patients visiting the hospital for the first time. We analyzed the difference between the two hospitals.
Result: Treatment by plastic and reconstructive surgery was still poorly understood in both hospitals. Many patients answered that they would visit the plastic and reconstructive surgery department for facial injuries, keloid scars, and limb anomalies. However, few patients answered that they would visit it for burns, skin tumors, and nevi.
Discussion: On the basis of the results obtained in this study, plastic surgeons should promote educational activities about plastic and reconstructive surgery throughout Japan. We discuss some approaches to increasing the recognition of the roles of plastic surgeons in Japan.
