Do male chairs of surgery have implicit gender bias in the residency application process? Am J Surg 2021 Apr;221(4):697-700
Date
08/28/2020Pubmed ID
32843230DOI
10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.08.010Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85089736415 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 19 CitationsAbstract
INTRODUCTION: Medical students applying for general surgery residencies often require a letter of recommendation (LOR) from the Surgical Chair. However, LORs may reveal gender and ethnic bias. This study examines the presence of implicit bias in general surgery resident selection by evaluating chair LORs.
METHODS: A retrospective study of 149 LORs for categorical general surgery residents, at an academic institution, written by surgery chairs from 1980 to 2013 was performed. Two independent reviewers scored each letter for overall quality, mention of personality, academic deficiencies, technical skills, and standout adjectives. Scores were compared across gender and race and statistical analysis performed using SPSS.
RESULTS: Males comprised 85% of the applicants; racial makeup was Caucasian (90%), black (4%), Asian (4%), and Hispanic (2%). Male chairs wrote all letters. Letters for female students received higher overall scores than males (4.13 ± 0.16, 3.59 ± 0.08, p = 0.005). Discussion of personality was significantly less for Asian students (1.28 ± 0.08, 1.83 ± 0.48, 0.5 ± 0.224, 1.67 ± 0.67, p 0.050). No difference was present in mention of academic deficiencies, technical skills, or standout adjectives.
DISCUSSION: Female medical students invited to interview at a top academic general surgery residency had higher quality LORs than their male counterparts. Asian applicants had statistically significant less discussion of personality. Further examination of residency selection processes is necessary to implement changes that mitigate implicit bias in trainee selection.
Author List
Dream S, Olivet MM, Tanner L, Chen HAuthor
Sophie Y. Dream MD Assistant Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultGeneral Surgery
Humans
Internship and Residency
Male
Personnel Selection
Racism
Retrospective Studies
School Admission Criteria
Sexism