Gendered Differences in Letters of Recommendation for Transplant Surgery Fellowship Applicants.
Gender bias
Gender disparities in surgery
Interpersonal and Communication Skills
LOR
Practice-Based Learning and Improvement
Professionalism
Transplant fellowship
Journal
Journal of surgical education
ISSN: 1878-7452
Titre abrégé: J Surg Educ
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101303204
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Historique:
received:
11
04
2018
revised:
05
07
2018
accepted:
23
08
2018
pubmed:
30
9
2018
medline:
4
9
2020
entrez:
30
9
2018
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
No published study has explored gender differences in letters of recommendation for applicants entering surgical subspecialty fellowships. We conducted a retrospective review of letters of recommendation to a transplant surgery fellowship written for residents finishing general surgery residency programs. A dictionary of communal and agentic terms was used to explore differences of the letters based on applicant's gender as well as the academic rank and gender of the author. Of the 311 reviewed letters, 228 were letters of recommendation written for male applicants. Male surgeons wrote 92.4% of the letters. Male applicant letters were significantly more likely to contain agentic terms such as superb, intelligent, and exceptional (p = 0.00086). Additionally, male applicant letters were significantly more likely to contain "future leader" (p = 0.047). Letters written by full professors, division chiefs, and program directors were significantly more likely to describe female applicants using communal terms like compassionate, calm, and delightful (p = 0.0301, p = 0.036, p = 0.036, respectively). In letters written by assistant professors, female letters of recommendation had significantly more references to family (p = 0.036). Gendered differences exist in letters of recommendation for surgical fellowship applicants. This research may provide insight into the inherent gender bias that is revealed in letters supporting candidates entering the field.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
No published study has explored gender differences in letters of recommendation for applicants entering surgical subspecialty fellowships.
METHODS
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective review of letters of recommendation to a transplant surgery fellowship written for residents finishing general surgery residency programs. A dictionary of communal and agentic terms was used to explore differences of the letters based on applicant's gender as well as the academic rank and gender of the author.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Of the 311 reviewed letters, 228 were letters of recommendation written for male applicants. Male surgeons wrote 92.4% of the letters. Male applicant letters were significantly more likely to contain agentic terms such as superb, intelligent, and exceptional (p = 0.00086). Additionally, male applicant letters were significantly more likely to contain "future leader" (p = 0.047). Letters written by full professors, division chiefs, and program directors were significantly more likely to describe female applicants using communal terms like compassionate, calm, and delightful (p = 0.0301, p = 0.036, p = 0.036, respectively). In letters written by assistant professors, female letters of recommendation had significantly more references to family (p = 0.036).
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Gendered differences exist in letters of recommendation for surgical fellowship applicants. This research may provide insight into the inherent gender bias that is revealed in letters supporting candidates entering the field.
Identifiants
pubmed: 30266555
pii: S1931-7204(18)30273-3
doi: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2018.08.021
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Comparative Study
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
427-432Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2018 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.