Gender, Racial, and Socioeconomic Determinants of Choosing a Surgical Career

Reghunathan, Meera; Rocha, Carolyn; Blum, Jessica D.; Stuart, Emelia; Shah, Tanvi; Li, Sean; Gosman, Amanda; Reid, C.

doi:10.1016/j.jsurg.2022.10.005

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Reghunathan et al discovered that all surgical residents at a public state-funded institution had a higher average childhood household income compared with nonsurgical residents. 30 Awad et al investigated how neurosurgical research grants were awarded primarily to men (77.3% versus 22.7% women) resulting in a biased increase in neurosurgery match rates for men (58% match rate for male recipients versus 32% for female recipients). 31 This bias has been reported in other countries as well.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Socioeconomic Disparities in Research Participation: Bias in Plastic Surgery Residency Match

Lin,

Huttinger,

Butler

et al. 2024

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

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Background: Integrated plastic surgery residency applicants have increased at a rate disproportionate to available positions. Research productivity has become a surrogate marker for competitiveness, and many applicants pursue it to distinguish themselves. To date, no study has investigated socioeconomic disparities in extended research experience (ERE) participation. Methods: A 35-question cross-sectional survey was distributed to applicants to United States-based integrated plastic surgery residency programs during the 2019–2022 application cycles. Summary tables, student t test, and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 161 responses (response rate: 20.9%) were recorded. Fifty-nine (40.7%) respondents participated in an ERE. The most common reason for ERE participation was strengthening one’s application. The most common reason against participation was avoiding delays in career progression. A greater percentage of respondents from Northeastern medical schools participated in EREs (P = 0.019). There were no significant differences in debt burden between those who did or did not participate in an ERE. A greater percentage of applicants whose parents had advanced degrees participated in EREs (P = 0.053). Conclusions: There may be geographic and socioeconomic biases present in access to ERE for students interested in plastic surgery. The growing popularity of EREs may have unintended consequences for applicant diversity. As most plastic surgeons ultimately practice in nonacademic settings, applicants and plastic surgeons may consider the financial hardships and possible socioeconomic disparities in research opportunities before participating in or recommending them.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%