Examining the Influence of Gender on Medical Students' Decision Making

Abstract

Gender bias, described among practicing physicians, has rarely been examined in medical students. The current study examined the influence of gender bias on medical students' clinical decision making. We experimentally manipulated patient gender in 27 written clinical vignettes embedded in the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 2 examination (a multiple-choice test of clinical decision making). Female and male patient versions of selected test cases were created within three categories: (1) diseases with previously established evidence of gender bias in the diagnosis or management of the disease, (2) diseases with a higher prevalence in a specific gender, and (3) diseases with similar prevalence in both genders and without evidence of gender bias in the literature. Among the 3059 students who wrote the USMLE Step 2 examination in August 1998, there were small but significant differences in performance on the 12 gender bias cases. Students performed worse for the female patient version of the cases compared with the male patient version of the cases (mean of 55.8% correct for female cases compared with 57.7% correct for male cases) (p < 0. 01). Our data suggest that students were variably influenced by gender bias in their investigation and management of patients in a written test of clinical decision making.

Incorporating and evaluating an integrated gender-specific medicine curriculum: a survey study in Dutch GP training

“…In the last decade, the field of gender-specific medicine has focussed on training educational professionals, and on reforms aimed to include gender aspects in the curricula of medical schools, and in health research. [ 10 - 12 ] Although many medical educators have called for medical schools to institute training in gender issues, most medical institutions have confined the teaching of gender-specific medicine to optional courses or electives that lack the structure and recognized place to ensure success. [ 13 , 14 ] Innovative ideas to position gender-specific medicine into the medical curriculum often failed to gain long-term commitment from those involved and failed to spread comprehensively throughout their target organizations.…”

Analysis of Social Cognitive Model in the Context of Green Marketing: A Study of the Ghanaian Environment

“…Previous studies (Crow et al, 1991;Hatala & Case, 2000;Hawkins & Power, 1999;Venkatesh, Morris, & Ackerman, 2000) proved that men and women have significant differences in decision-making but these studies are minimal. Early research has claimed that the female gender is more prone to the environment.…”

Study on the Influence of Advertising Attractiveness on the Purchase Decisions of Women and Men

“…Despite the fact that society is progressing towards social and labour equality between men and women, it is necessary to continue to examine from a psychological perspective whether there are sex diff erences in the importance that people allocate to factors that determine the decision process. Till now, the results of research are somewhat ambiguous because, although some signifi cant diff erences have been identifi ed, most of them are minimal (Crow et al, 1991;Hatala and Case, 2000;Hawkins and Power, 1999;Venkatesh, Morris, & Ackerman, 2000;cited by: Sanz de Acedo Lizárraga et al, 2007). It seems that women are more aff ected by the environment; they look for more information, and dedicate more time to the decision process (Gill et al, 1987;cited by: Sanz de Acedo Lizárraga et al, 2007).…”