Obstetrics and gynecology clerkship for males and females: similar curriculum, different outcomes?

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine if performance differences exist between male and female students on a 6-week obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) clerkship and to evaluate potential variables that might underlie any observed variations.Study DesignFinal clerkship grades and component scores (clinical evaluations, objective structured clinical examination [OSCE], oral examination, and National Board of Medical Examiners [NBME] subject examination) from July 2007 to June 2010 were matched by student and analyzed by gender. Basic science grade point average (GPA) and initial United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 1 scores were used to establish students’ baseline medical knowledge. On a post-clerkship questionnaire, a subset of students reported the numbers of procedures they performed during the clerkship; students also completed online pre- and post-clerkship questionnaires reflecting their self-assessed confidence in women's health clinical skills.ResultsScores were analyzed for 136 women and 220 men. Final clerkship grades were significantly higher for females than for males (89.05 vs. 87.34, p=0.0004, η 2=0.08). Specifically, females outscored males on the OSCE, oral, and NBME subject examination portions of the clerkship but not clinical evaluations. Males reported completing fewer breast examinations (p=0.001, η 2=0.14). Pre-clerkship, males were significantly less confident than females in women's health clinical skills (p<0.01) but reached similar levels upon completion of the clerkship. No gender differences were detected for basic science GPA and USMLE Step 1 scores.ConclusionStudent gender is associated with final grades on an Ob/Gyn clerkship. Further research regarding these differences should be explored.

Preparing the health workforce in Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional study of competence of anesthesia graduating students

“…Female graduates consistently performed more poorly on the OSCE than male counterparts. These results differ from previous studies of medical and physiotherapy students in the United Kingdom, [35,36] medical students in the United States, [37,38] nursing students in Pakistan, [39] and anesthesia students in Saudi Arabia, [40] all of which found that women tend to perform better than men on clinical skills assessments. Our findings call for targeted efforts to support female students during training, [41] including life skills training, safe campus environments, peer-to-peer coaching, and study support.…”

To the point: gender differences in the obstetrics and gynecology clerkship

“…There were no differences in faculty evaluations of the students. Craig et al 12 had similar observations in student performance from 2007e2010. Specifically, female students outscored male students on the objective structured clinical examination, oral examination, and National Board of Medical Examiners Expert Reviews ajog.org obstetrics/gynecology subject examination with no observed differences in clinical evaluations.…”

Gender differences in Australian general practice trainees performing procedures related to women’s reproductive health: A cross-sectional analysis

“…10 Therefore, despite studying the same curriculum, gender differences may exist in medical trainees' experience in learning procedures related to women's reproductive health. 11 The aim of this study was to document the prevalence and associations of general practice trainees' performance of procedures related to women's reproductive health. Of particular interest were associations between frequency of performance of these procedures and trainees' gender, rurality of practice and in-consultation seeking of information or assistance.…”