DO WOMEN MEDICAL-STUDENTS OUTPERFORM MEN IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

Purpose. To determine whether there is a difference between the perfor mances of women and men students in the study of obstetrics and gyneco logy. Method. 127 students in the classes of 1996 and 1997 at the UMDN J-School of Osteopathic Medicine studied obstetrics and gynecology as part of a four-week module on human reproduction in the fall of their second year. The module was followed by an 80-question multiple-choice examination. In their third year, the students rotated through a six- week clinical clerkship, during which they were scored on many aspects of their work, including relationships with patients. The present stu dy examined by gender the students' overall clerkship scores, their ab ility to relate to patients, and their performances on the multiple-ch oice examination. Results. No significant difference between the score s of the women students and the men students were found for the module 's multiple-choice examination or for the clerkship's score on relatio nships with patients. However, the women scored significantly better t han the men in the clerkship's overall score. Conclusion. The women st udents clearly outperformed the men students during the clinical clerk ship on obstetrics and gynecology. The reasons for this are not immedi ately apparent. Further investigation is necessary.