A simple strategy to reduce stereotype threat for orthopedic residents

Abstract

Background: Stereotype threat, defined as the predicament felt by people in either positive or negative learning experiences where they could conform to negative stereotypes associated with their own group membership, can interfere with learning. The purpose of this study was to determine if a simple orientation session could reduce stereotype threat for orthopedic residents. Methods:The intervention group received an orientation on 2 occasions focusing on their possible responses to perceived poor performance in teaching rounds and the operating room (OR). Participants completed a survey with 7 questions typical for stereotype threat evaluating responses to their experiences. The questions had 7 response options with a maximum total score of 49, where higher scores indicated greater degree of experiences typical of stereotype threat. Results:Of the 84 eligible residents, 49 participated: 22 in the nonintervention and 27 in the intervention group. The overall scores were 29 and 29.4, and 26.2 and 25.8 in the nonintervention and intervention groups for their survey responses to perceived poor performance in teaching rounds (p = 0.85) and the OR (p = 0.84), respectively. Overall, responses typical of stereotype threat were greater for perceived poor performance at teaching rounds than in the OR (p = 0.001). Conclusion:Residents experience low self-esteem following perceived poor performance, particularly at rounds. A simple orientation designed to reduce stereotype threat was unsuccessful in reducing this threat overall. Future research will need to consider longer-term intervention as possible strategies to reduce perceived poor performance at teaching rounds and in the OR.Contexte : La menace du stéréotype, définie comme un malaise ressenti chez des individus en situation d'apprentissage positive ou négative où ils pourraient se conformer au stéréotype négatif associé à leur groupe d'appartenance, peut nuire à l'apprentissage. Le but de cette étude était de déterminer s'il est possible de réduire la menace du stéoréotype chez des résidents en orthopédie au moyen d'une simple séance d'orientation.Méthodes : Le groupe soumis à l'intervention a assisté à 2 séances d'orientation visant leurs réactions possibles à un piètre rendement perçu lors de cours cliniques ou au bloc opératoire. Les participants ont répondu à un sondage de 7 questions typiques concernant la menace du stéréotype pour évaluer leurs réactions à de telles expéri-ences. Les questions comportaient 7 choix de réponse, pour un score total maximum de 49; les scores les plus élevés indiquaient un degré plus marqué d'expériences concordant avec la menace du stéréotype.Résultats : Parmi les 54 résidents admissibles, 49 ont participé : 22 dans le groupe non soumis à l'intervention et 27 dans le groupe soumis à l'intervention. Les scores globaux ont été de 29 et de 29,4, et de 26,2 et 25,8 dans les groupes non soumis à l'intervention et soumis à l'intervention (p = 0,85), respectivement, pour leurs réponses au sondage liées à un piètre rendement perçu lors...

Can a Brief Values Affirmation Help Achieve Gender Parity Within the Surgical Profession? The Promise and Limitations of “Wise” Interventions

“…Other published studies aimed at reducing stereotype threat among women and minorities in medicine have had mixed results, and it is plausible that, because of the so-called ''file-drawer effect,'' other unsuccessful interventions have gone unpublished. 13 For example, one intervention aimed at reducing stereotype threat for orthopedic residents was not successful, 14 although the investigators did not use the values affirmation protocol successfully utilized by Cohen and colleagues 15 in prior studies and did not measure actual performance. Another study that conducted a values affirmation with ethnic minority medical students, in a manner consistent with Cohen et al's methods, 15 found that values affirmation did lead to improved scores on 1 measure among minority group members who had completed an affirmation exercise, but this was due to decreased scores in the white intervention group; furthermore, on another measure, both white and minority students in the affirmed group outperformed controls.…”

Achieving a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Environment for the Black Orthopaedic Surgeon

“…Stereotype threat is a psychological phenomenon in which a perceived fear of fulfilling negative stereotypes about one's identity group leads to impaired performance 26 . Several studies have demonstrated that stereotype threat in medicine not only contributes to academic and occupational underperformance among medical students, but also among surgical trainees 27,28 . Vulnerability to stereotype threat is particularly pronounced among Black trainees.…”

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