Female military medical school graduates entering surgical internships: are we keeping up with national trends?
Publication Status: Published
Sponsoring Organization: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
Sponsoring Office: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center/Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences
Congressionally Mandated: No
Funding Source: Defense Health Agency (formerly TRICARE Management Activity)
Release Date/Publication:
Principle Investigator Status: Government
Primary DoD Data Source: Other
Secondary DoD Data Source:
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Ratios of women graduating from the only US military medical school and entering surgical internships were reviewed and compared with national trends.
METHODS:
Data were obtained from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences graduation announcements from 2002 to 2012.
RESULTS:
There were 1,771 graduates from 2002 to 2012, with 508 female (29%) and 1,263 male (71%) graduates. Female graduates increased over time (21% to 39%; P = .014). Female general surgery interns increased from 3.9% to 39% (P = .025). Female overall surgical subspecialty interns increased from 20% in 2002 to 36% in 2012 (P = .046). Women were represented well in obstetrics (57%), urology (44%), and otolaryngology (31%), but not in neurosurgery, orthopedics, and ophthalmology (0% to 20%).
CONCLUSIONS:
The sex disparity between military and civilian medical students occurs before entry. Once in medical school, women are just as likely to enter general surgery or surgical subspecialty as their male counterparts. Increased ratio of women in the class is unlikely to lead to a shortfall except in specific subspecialties.
Citation:
Vertrees A, Laferriere N, Elster E, Shriver CD, Rich NM. Female military medical school graduates entering surgical internships: are we keeping up with national trends? Am J Surg. 2014 Oct;208(4):550-5.