[Bootcamp: longitudinal gender-based surgical and clinical skills training].

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Gender Studies in Medicine

Background:

• Women remain underrepresented in orthopedic and trauma surgery despite achieving gender parity in medical school enrollment.
• Addressing this disparity is crucial for the advancement of the surgical field.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe an innovative, longitudinal, gender-based surgical and clinical skills training course.
• To increase medical students' interest in orthopedic trauma surgery.
• To reduce concerns about discrimination and gender-related issues in surgery.

Main Methods:

• An elective 5-day modular skills course was designed for third to fifth-year medical students.
• The curriculum included basic and advanced surgical techniques, anesthesia, arthroscopy, fracture fixation, emergency measures, and communication skills training with standardized patients.
• Learning outcomes were assessed via multiple-choice questionnaires (MCQ) and objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE).

Main Results:

• Module I was completed by 52 students (39 female, 13 male).
• No gender differences were observed in MCQ, anesthesia, or communication skills; males scored higher in arthroscopy simulation.
• Female participants reported increased interest in orthopedic trauma surgery and reduced concerns regarding gender-related issues.

Conclusions:

• The course appears effective in increasing female students' interest and reducing their concerns about gender-related issues in orthopedic trauma surgery.
• Further evaluation is needed to assess long-term career development and application rates.
• Adapting working conditions to meet women's needs is vital for recruiting and retaining female surgical residents.