Does medical students’ gender affect their clinical learning of gynaecological examination? A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

The majority of male students perceived that their gender impacted their clinical experience in O&G and GUM. Self-reported confidence levels were unaffected, which could reflect varying approaches to competence between genders. The link between observing examinations and subsequent opportunities to practise is key. This could demonstrate students developing rapport and trust with patients, and clinicians' roles as gatekeepers.

The Role of Gender-Specific Factors in the Choice of Specialty Training in Obstetrics and Gynecology – Results from a Survey Among Medical Students in Germany

“…Our data reveal that 78% of male students had no practical experience beyond the compulsory albeit limited bedside teaching in the OB/GYN course. One American publication reported that male students had been dissatisfied with the practical experience in OB/GYN and suggested that this was due to their gender [32]. The male students in the aforementioned study had had fewer opportunities to actually learn and practice the gynecological examination [32,33], which is consistent with the finding of our study as 62% of our male students had neither observed nor conducted an examination on their own.…”

“…One American publication reported that male students had been dissatisfied with the practical experience in OB/GYN and suggested that this was due to their gender [32]. The male students in the aforementioned study had had fewer opportunities to actually learn and practice the gynecological examination [32,33], which is consistent with the finding of our study as 62% of our male students had neither observed nor conducted an examination on their own. However, this finding contrasts with the gender-independent majority view in our studynamely that all physicians should be competent in gynecological examinations and that this skill should be part of the compulsory curriculum for medical teaching.…”

The role of gender-specific factors in the choice of specialty training in obstetrics and gynecology: results from a survey among medical students in Germany

“…Our data reveal that 78% of male students had no practical experience beyond the compulsory albeit limited bedside teaching in the OB/GYN course. One American publication reported that male students had been dissatisfied with the practical experience in OB/GYN and suggested that this was due to their gender [ 28 ]. The male students in the aforementioned study had fewer opportunities to actually learn and practice the gynecological examination [ 28 , 29 ], which is consistent with the finding of our study as 62% of our male students had neither observed nor conducted an examination on their own.…”

“…One American publication reported that male students had been dissatisfied with the practical experience in OB/GYN and suggested that this was due to their gender [ 28 ]. The male students in the aforementioned study had fewer opportunities to actually learn and practice the gynecological examination [ 28 , 29 ], which is consistent with the finding of our study as 62% of our male students had neither observed nor conducted an examination on their own. However, this finding contrasts with the gender-independent majority view in our study—namely that all physicians should be competent in gynecological examinations and that this skill should be part of the compulsory curriculum for medical teaching.…”

‘Poorly relaxed women’: A situational analysis of pelvic examination learning materials for medical students

“…Common complaints include their increased likelihood of patient refusal and 'gate-keeping' targeted at male students practicing the exam by other healthcare professionals (Bhoopatkar et al, 2017;Chang et al, 2010;Wallbridge et al, 2018;Zahid et al, 2015). Findings have suggested that as medical students advance in their clinical training, they suffer "an erosion in their attitudes about telling patients that they are students" (Silver-Isenstadt and Ubel, 1999, p. 481).…”