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. 2022 Jun;88(6):1207-1216.
doi: 10.1177/0003134821991982. Epub 2021 Feb 8.

Gender, Race, Age, Allopathic Degree, Board Score, and Research Experience Among Applicants Matching to General and Orthopedic Surgery Residencies, 2015-2019

Mason Sutherland  1 , Carol Sanchez  1 , Amanda Baroutjian  1 , Aleeza Ali  1 , Mark McKenney  1   2 , Adel Elkbuli  1
Affiliations

Gender, Race, Age, Allopathic Degree, Board Score, and Research Experience Among Applicants Matching to General and Orthopedic Surgery Residencies, 2015-2019

Mason Sutherland et al. Am Surg. 2022 Jun.

Expression of concern in

  • Expression of Concern.
    [No authors listed] [No authors listed] Am Surg. 2025 Mar;91(3):464-472. doi: 10.1177/00031348241305412. Epub 2025 Jan 10. Am Surg. 2025. PMID: 39791244 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

Abstract

Background: Surgical fields are historically dominated by male physicians. Increasing the diversity of the physician workforce improves training and patient experiences. We aim to investigate any differences in qualifications and match rates between male and female applicants to general surgery (GS) and orthopedic surgery (OS) residencies in the United States.

Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed utilizing the Association of American Medical Colleges data regarding Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) applicants and matched Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) residents into GS and OS residencies from 2015 to 2019. Descriptive statistics and independent sample T-tests were performed with significance defined as P < .05.

Results: 26 568 GS and 7076 OS ERAS applicants matched at a rate of 25.2% and 55.3%, respectively. Men and women matched into GS at rates of 23.0% and 29.2%, respectively. Men and women matched into OS at rates of 55.2% and 56.2%, respectively. Men aged ≥36 years matched into OS at a significantly higher rate than women aged years ≥36 (11.9% vs. 1.4%, P = .009). Female GS ERAS applicants and entering ACGME residents had a higher mean number of research experiences than male GS ERAS applicants (2.66 vs. 2.26, P < .001) and entering male GS ACGME residents (2.96 vs. 2.56, P = .008).

Conclusions: Male and female GS and OS applicants have similar qualifications. Women match into GS and OS at higher rates than men but comprise disproportionately lower numbers of applicants. Greater mentorship opportunities and recruitment of female applicants are needed to expand, diversify, and increase representation of women in surgery.

Keywords: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education; Association of American Medical Colleges; gender equity; general surgery residency; orthopedic surgery residency.

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