A Cross-Sectional Study of the Cleft Surgical Workforce in Bolivia.

ObjectiveTo assess the number of cleft surgeons registered with the Bolivian Society of Plastic Surgery and their desire for further cleft training.DesignAn electronic survey distributed through the Bolivian Society of Plastic Surgery.ParticipantsEighty-three Bolivian plastic surgeons.ResultsResidency training occurred most in Argentina (39.2%), Brazil (31.6%), and Mexico (20.2%), and 29 (35.8%) surgeons reported practicing cleft surgery during their training. The majority (51.7%) of cleft surgeons reported doing cleft work in mission-based settings. No significant association was found between cleft and noncleft surgeon exposure to cleft surgery during training (P = .292) and between the proportion of cleft and noncleft surgeons that were interested in further cleft training (P = .196).ConclusionsWe found a board-certified plastic surgery cleft workforce of about 1 per 400 000 inhabitants in Bolivia. The majority reported adequate exposure to cleft care during residency. Both cleft and noncleft surgeons are interested in further cleft training.