Differences in words used to describe racial and gender groups in Medical Student Performance Evaluations

Abstract

PurposeThe transition from medical school to residency is a critical step in the careers of physicians. Because of the standardized application process-wherein schools submit summative Medical Student Performance Evaluations (MSPE's)-it also represents a unique opportunity to assess the possible prevalence of racial and gender disparities, as shown elsewhere in medicine.

Does Applicant Gender Have an Effect on Standardized Letters of Evaluation Obtained During Medical Student Emergency Medicine Rotations?

“…3,4,[14][15][16][17] A study from 2004 found that female authors assessing female students tended to give higher global assessment scores on the SLOR than female authors assessing males or male authors assessing males or females. 18 Currently, most SLOEs are written by a group of authors, including the clerkship and residency leadership, so the influence of author gender may be less relevant; 9,15 however, a difference in SLOE scores for female and male students may still exist. Studies from undergraduate and graduate medical education have demonstrated gender differences associated with several assessment methods.…”

“…Studies from undergraduate and graduate medical education have demonstrated gender differences associated with several assessment methods. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] For example, men in EM residencies achieve higher milestone assessments than women at graduation. 20 With the revised format of the SLOE 2 and the tendency for more SLOEs to be completed by groups of EM residency and clerkship leaders, 9,15 rather than individual faculty, we sought to determine if there is any difference in the SLOE global assessment of female versus male applicants.…”

Plagiarised letters of recommendation submitted for the National Resident Matching Program

“…For example, recent studies have explored the potential role of implicit biases in medicine by examining the way that applicants are described in their Medical Student Performance Evaluations ('dean's letters') and the rates of induction into prestigious honour societies. 10,11 One of the largest sources of data in the application process is the letters of recommendation submitted by tens of thousands of mentors and supervisors. These letters are intended to provide an important view of candidates' qualifications, personalities, and behaviours, from those who are supposed to know the candidates best.…”

“…In this sense, it may offer a view of the state of medicine in the USA. For example, recent studies have explored the potential role of implicit biases in medicine by examining the way that applicants are described in their Medical Student Performance Evaluations (‘dean's letters’) and the rates of induction into prestigious honour societies . One of the largest sources of data in the application process is the letters of recommendation submitted by tens of thousands of mentors and supervisors.…”

Discrimination against women in medicine: lessons from Tokyo

“…Studies have shown that a CV with a woman’s name may be interpreted less favourably than an identical document with a man’s name 10; women may be described differently in letters of recommendation and other evaluations11; women perceive higher degrees of discrimination12; and women are less likely to be promoted in academia 13…”