Plastic surgery is among the most diverse surgical specialties, continually evolving through technological innovation. Although operative experience remains the cornerstone of training, a broad foundation of theoretical knowledge is essential to becoming a complete surgeon. The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping medical education, including plastic surgery.1–4 Large language models can now provide tailored explanations, organize complex data, and simulate problem-solving scenarios. Despite these capabilities, many trainees still rely primarily on traditional methods such as textbooks and lengthy journal articles. Integrating AI into the learning process can enhance comprehension, efficiency, and long-term retention. Based on our experience, we outline 5 simple strategies to help trainees and practicing surgeons optimize their educational use of AI. USE AI THOUGHTFULLY: NOT LIKE A SEARCH ENGINE The quality of an AI response depends directly on the quality of the prompt. Instead of asking vague questions, frame your request as a specific, contextualized task. Example: “You are a board-certified plastic surgeon. Explain the evolution of silicone breast implants for residents.” SPECIFY THE SOURCE OF EVIDENCE To ensure reliability, instruct the AI to draw from formal guidelines, consensus statements, or recognized educational resources. Example: “What are the current recommendations for treating Merkel cell carcinoma? Base your answer on NCCN or equivalent guidelines.” ENCOURAGE COMPARATIVE LEARNING AI can synthesize and contrast data across multiple references, helping residents critically evaluate differing approaches. Example: “Compare the main techniques for cleft lip repair, including year introduced, advantages, limitations, and schematic overview.” ALIGN AI TOOLS WITH PERSONAL GOALS Clarify your objectives so that AI can help design customized learning plans, study timelines, or question banks. Example: “I am a senior resident preparing for board examinations. I’m confident in burns and pediatric surgery. My weakest field is aesthetic surgery. Create a six-month study schedule.” GENERATE INTERACTIVE LEARNING AIDS AI can produce flashcards, flowcharts, and visual algorithms that enhance recall and conceptual understanding. Example: “Generate 20 flashcards summarizing hand anatomy.” CONCLUSIONS AI is reshaping how surgeons learn, teach, and practice. Integrating AI into residency and continuing education should become a fundamental component of modern training. Although additional strategies could be proposed, the tips outlined earlier provide a practical starting point for surgeons beginning to incorporate AI into their education. One concern among clinicians adopting AI tools is the credibility of AI-generated information, an important issue when medical decisions are at stake. AI-generated images are also subject to well-documented anatomical inaccuracies, including missing structures, unrealistic spatial relationships, and hallucinated details.5 These limitations underscore the necessity of expert supervision and specific training in using machine-learning models. Developing critical appraisal skills is essential. As AI systems advance, issues such as “hallucinations” are expected to diminish; however, users must still use best practices to ensure accuracy. Well-structured prompts that direct the model toward trusted sources can significantly mitigate misinformation. Moreover, clinicians may verify the sources, cross-check key points against the literature, or compare outputs across different AI platforms. AI should not replace traditional educational resources; rather, it should complement them. As with any emerging technology, familiarity and trust develop gradually. The question is no longer whether AI will become part of surgical education, but how it can be used responsibly and effectively. Future research should explore the impact of AI-assisted learning on clinical decision-making, patient outcomes, and board examination performance. By mastering AI-enhanced educational tools, the next generation of plastic surgeons can achieve greater efficiency, precision, and adaptability, qualities essential for excellence in the 21st century. DISCLOSURE The author has no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this article.
Yair Shachar (Fri,) studied this question.