Climbing the Research Ladder: A 25-year Analysis of K-to-R Grant Conversion among Plastic Surgeons.

Background: We evaluate the performance of plastic surgeons in converting National Institutes of Health K grants in early career to R grants intended for established investigators. We also investigate characteristics that may positively predict successful transition from K to R grants. Methods: K08, K23, and R01 (or equivalent) grants awarded to plastic surgeons and physicians within the departments of ophthalmology, dermatology, and neurosurgery were collected. Analyses of successful conversion rates from a K to an R grant between plastic surgeons and physicians within the selected departments were performed. Cross-sectional analysis of characteristics among identified plastic surgeons was completed via logistic regression to elucidate possible predictors of successful conversion. Results: Comparison of pathway initiation rates demonstrate that plastic surgeons receive significantly fewer K grants relative to the size of their field when compared with other specialties (all Conclusions: With regard to increasing National Institutes of Health funding via the K-to-R pathway, we believe the field of plastic surgery could benefit from an increased effort to pursue a pathway of K-to-R conversion with a focus on quality over quantity when publishing articles associated with a K-series grant.