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Research
Open Access

Gender-based differences in letters of recommendation in applications for general surgery residency programs in Canada

Jennifer Koichopolos, Michael C. Ott, Allison H. Maciver and Julie Ann M. Van Koughnett
CAN J SURG April 01, 2022 65 (2) E236-E241; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1503/cjs.025120
Jennifer Koichopolos
From the Department of Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ont. (Koichopolos, Ott, Maciver, Van Koughnett)
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Michael C. Ott
From the Department of Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ont. (Koichopolos, Ott, Maciver, Van Koughnett)
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Allison H. Maciver
From the Department of Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ont. (Koichopolos, Ott, Maciver, Van Koughnett)
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Julie Ann M. Van Koughnett
From the Department of Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ont. (Koichopolos, Ott, Maciver, Van Koughnett)
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    Fig. 1

    Proportion of letters of recommendation written by male and female writers based on the gender of the applicant.

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    Table 1

    Frequency of descriptors in letters of reference

    DescriptorNo. (%) of letters containing descriptorp value
    Female applicants
    n = 126
    Male applicants
    n = 89
    Knowledge104 (82.5)74 (83.1)0.7
    Intelligence29 (23.0)24 (27.0)0.5
    Interest75 (59.5)56 (62.9)0.6
    Natural ability or intuitiveness17 (13.5)9 (10.1)0.5
    Preparedness33 (26.2)30 (33.7)0.2
    Functioned like a resident53 (42.1)39 (43.8)0.8
    Clinical skills78 (61.9)52 (58.4)0.6
    Clinical notes19 (15.1)18 (20.2)0.3
    Efficient29 (23.0)16 (18.0)0.4
    Initiative36 (28.6)14 (15.7)0.03
    Responsive to feedback14 (11.1)7 (7.9)0.4
    Dedicated to specialty58 (46.0)44 (49.4)0.6
    Hard working or dedicated88 (69.8)61 (68.5)0.8
    Self-sacrificing33 (26.2)32 (36.0)0.1
    Sense of responsibility31 (24.6)25 (28.1)0.6
    Mature38 (30.2)14 (15.7)0.02
    Technical skills89 (70.6)68 (76.4)0.3
    Teamwork77 (61.1)64 (71.9)0.1
    Integration (“fit in”)28 (22.2)19 (21.3)0.9
    Professional35 (27.8)25 (28.1)1.0
    Judgment49 (38.9)42 (47.2)0.2
    Pleasant or positive disposition55 (43.7)24 (27.0)0.01
    Knew their limitations9 (7.1)5 (5.6)0.6
    Young man or woman10 (7.9)10 (11.2)0.4
    Appearance or smile5 (4.0)2 (2.2)0.5
    Quiet, shy, understated or reserved13 (10.3)10 (11.2)0.8
    Humble4 (3.2)4 (4.5)0.6
    Enthusiasm30 (23.8)21 (23.6)0.7
    Polite or respectful16 (12.7)17 (19.1)0.2
    Flexible8 (6.3)0 (0.0)0.02
    Attitude28 (22.2)15 (16.9)0.3
    Communication54 (42.9)37 (41.6)0.9
    Research and awards53 (42.1)51 (57.3)0.03
    Desire to have in training program56 (44.4)38 (42.7)0.8
    Kind or compassionate25 (19.8)12 (13.5)0.2
    Confident14 (11.1)4 (4.5)0.08
    Comparison to others98 (77.8)72 (80.9)0.6
    Good future resident55 (43.7)30 (33.7)0.1
    Good future surgeon36 (28.6)28 (31.5)0.6
    Extracurricular or “well rounded”12 (9.5)21 (23.6)0.005
    Personal facts11 (8.7)14 (15.7)0.1
    Good assistant22 (17.5)16 (18.0)0.9
    Patient-centred care17 (13.5)8 (9.0)0.3
    Leadership21 (16.7)14 (15.7)0.8
    Teachable16 (12.7)8 (9.0)0.4
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    Table 2

    Phrases identified in reference letters to general surgery based on gender of applicant*

    RankFemale applicantMale applicant
    PhraseFrequencyProportion of letter’s words, %PhraseFrequencyProportion of letter’s words, %
    1Technical skills441.61Knowledge base311.61
    2Junior resident381.39Technical skills311.61
    3Knowledge base381.39Work ethic311.61
    4Work ethic381.39Communication skills211.09
    5Hard working341.24Junior resident201.04
    6Above average311.14Cognitive skills160.83
    7Communication skills291.06Patient care150.78
    8Pleasure to work230.84Research projects150.78
    9Patient care210.77Above average130.68
    10Support of application200.73Problem solving130.68
    • ↵* The frequency is the number of times this phrase occurred in a combined document of all female or male applicant letters. The proportion of the letter’s words shows the percentage of the total words in the combined document of all female or male applicant letters that are the phrase words.

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Canadian Journal of Surgery: 65 (2)
CAN J SURG
Vol. 65, Issue 2
27 Apr 2022
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Gender-based differences in letters of recommendation in applications for general surgery residency programs in Canada
Jennifer Koichopolos, Michael C. Ott, Allison H. Maciver, Julie Ann M. Van Koughnett
CAN J SURG Apr 2022, 65 (2) E236-E241; DOI: 10.1503/cjs.025120

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Gender-based differences in letters of recommendation in applications for general surgery residency programs in Canada
Jennifer Koichopolos, Michael C. Ott, Allison H. Maciver, Julie Ann M. Van Koughnett
CAN J SURG Apr 2022, 65 (2) E236-E241; DOI: 10.1503/cjs.025120
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