Operational and Financial Impact of COVID-19: A Survey of Plastic Surgeons in Miami

BACKGROUND: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, new guidelines were issued cautioning against performing elective procedures. We aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on operational and financial aspects of plastic surgery in Miami. METHODS: A multiple-choice and short-answer survey regarding practice changes and financial impact was sent to all 67 members of the Miami Society of Plastic Surgeons. RESULTS: A 41.8% (n = 28) response rate was obtained, five responses did not meet the inclusion criteria, and statistical analysis was performed on 34.3% (n = 23) of responses. Of the plastic surgeons who responded, 21.74% operate in an academic setting, 60.87% are in a single practitioner private practice, and 17.39% are in a multi-practitioner private practice. An estimated 60% of academic plastic surgeons had 75% or more of their previously scheduled cases canceled, compared with 57.14% in single practitioner private practice and 100% in multi-practitioner private practice. In total, 64.29% of single practitioner private practices and 50% of multi-practitioner private practices have had to obtain a small business loan. Single practitioner private practice plastic surgeons reported having an average of 6.5 months until having to file for bankruptcy or permanently close their practices, and multi-practitioner private practice plastic surgeons reported an average of 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Guidelines to support small business must be implemented in order to allow private practice surgeons to recover from the substantial economic impact caused by the pandemic because it is necessary to reestablish patient access and provide proper care to our patients.