TY - JOUR
T1 - Gendered Differences in Letters of Recommendation for Transplant Surgery Fellowship Applicants
AU - Hoffman, Arika
AU - Grant, Wendy
AU - McCormick, Melanie
AU - Jezewski, Emily
AU - Matemavi, Praise
AU - Langnas, Alan
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Association of Program Directors in Surgery
PY - 2019/3/1
Y1 - 2019/3/1
N2 - Background: No published study has explored gender differences in letters of recommendation for applicants entering surgical subspecialty fellowships. 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: 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: 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.
AB - Background: No published study has explored gender differences in letters of recommendation for applicants entering surgical subspecialty fellowships. 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: 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: 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.
KW - Gender bias
KW - Gender disparities in surgery
KW - Interpersonal and Communication Skills
KW - LOR
KW - Practice-Based Learning and Improvement
KW - Professionalism
KW - Transplant fellowship
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jsurg.2018.08.021
DO - 10.1016/j.jsurg.2018.08.021
M3 - Article
C2 - 30266555
AN - SCOPUS:85053865559
VL - 76
SP - 427
EP - 432
JO - Journal of Surgical Education
JF - Journal of Surgical Education
SN - 1931-7204
IS - 2
ER -