Assessing Gender Differences in Technical Skills and Confidence in Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Applicants

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews 2023-07, Vol.7 (7)
• Main Authors: Kerluku, Jona, Wessel, Lauren, Ling, Daphne, Nguyen, Joseph T., Felix, Karla J., Sutton, Karen M., Fufa, Duretti T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Female; Humans; Internship and Residency; Male; Mental Processes; Orthopedic Procedures; Self Report; Sex Factors; Students, Medical
• ISSN: 2474-7661; 2474-7661
• DOI: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-22-00265

Variations in confidence for procedural skills have been demonstrated when comparing male and female medical students in surgical training. This study investigates whether differences in technical skill and self-reported confidence exist between male and female medical students applying to orthopaedic residency. All medical students (2017 to 2020) invited to interview at a single orthopaedic residency program were prospectively evaluated on their technical skills and self-reported confidence. Objective evaluation of technical skill included scores for a suturing task as evaluated by faculty graders. Self-reported confidence in technical skills was assessed before and after completing the assigned task. Scores for male and female students were compared by age, self-identified race/ethnicity, number of publications at the time of application, athletic background, and US Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 score. Two hundred sixteen medical students were interviewed, of which 73% were male (n = 158). No gender differences were observed in suture task technical skill scores or mean difference in simultaneous visual task scores. The mean change from pre-task and post-task self-reported confidence scores was similar between sexes. Although female students trended toward lower post-task self-reported confidence scores compared with male students, this did not achieve statistical significance. Lower self-reported confidence was associated with a higher US Medical Licensing Examination score and with attending a private medical school. No difference in technical skill or confidence was found between male and female applicants to a single orthopaedic surgery residency program. Female applicants trended toward self-reporting lower confidence than male applicants in post-task evaluations. Differences in confidence have been shown previously in surgical trainees, which may suggest that differences in skill and confidence may develop during residency training.