Disparities in the Operative Experience Between Female and Male General Surgery Residents: A Multi-Institutional Study from the US ROPE Consortium. Journal Article

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Authors: Winer, LK; Kader, S; Abelson, JS; Hammaker, AC; Eruchalu, CN; Etheridge, JC; Cho, NL; Foote, DC; Ivascu, FA; Smith, S; Postlewait, LM; Greenwell, K; Meister, KM; Montgomery, KB; Zmijewski, P; Byrd, SE; Kimbrough, MK; Stopenski, SJ; Nahmias, JT; Harvey, J; Farr, D; Callahan, ZM; Marks, JA; Stahl, CC; Al Yafi, M; Sutton, JM; Elsaadi, A; Campbell, SJ; Dodwad, SM; Adams, SD; Woeste, MR; Martin, RCG; Patel, P; Anstadt, MJ; Nasim, BW; Willis, RE; Patel, JA; Newcomb, MR; George, BC; Quillin, RC; Cortez, AR
Article Title: Disparities in the Operative Experience Between Female and Male General Surgery Residents: A Multi-Institutional Study from the US ROPE Consortium.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To examine differences in resident operative experience between male and female general surgery residents. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Despite increasing female representation in surgery, gender disparities in residency experience continue to exist. The operative volume of male and female general surgery residents has not been compared on a multi-institutional level. METHODS: Demographic characteristics and case logs were obtained for categorical general surgery graduates between 2010 to 2020 from the US Resident OPerative Experience (ROPE) Consortium database. Univariable, multivariable, and linear regression analyses were performed to compare differences in operative experience between male and female residents. RESULTS: There were 1343 graduates from 20 ACGME-accredited programs, and 476 (35%) were female. There were no differences in age, race/ethnicity, or proportion pursuing fellowship between groups. Female graduates were less likely to be high-volume residents (27% vs. 36%, P0.01). On univariable analysis, female graduates performed fewer total cases than male graduates (1140 vs. 1177, P0.01), largely due to a diminished surgeon junior experience (829 vs. 863, P0.01). On adjusted multivariable analysis, female gender was negatively associated with being a high-volume resident (OR=0.74, 95% CI 0.56-0.98, P=0.03). Over the 11-year study period, the annual total number of cases increased significantly for both gender groups, but female graduates (+16 cases/year) outpaced male graduates (+13 cases/year, P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Female general surgery graduates performed significantly fewer cases than male graduates. Reassuringly, this gap in operative experience may be narrowing. Further interventions are warranted to promote equitable training opportunities that support and engage female residents.
Journal Title: Annals of Surgery
ISSN: 1528-1140; 0003-4932
Publisher: Unknown  
Date Published: 2023