Gender perception bias of operative autonomy evaluations among residents and faculty in general surgery training

Resident operative autonomy (ROA) is critical and a shared responsibility of both faculty and residents during training. We hypothesize that there is a perception of gender bias in residents' performance as evaluated by faculty and residents.

Over a period of five academic years, between July 2014 and June 2019, ROA was evaluated using the Zwisch score. Reciprocal evaluations were completed by faculty and residents.

39 surgeons (30 males, 9 females) and 42 residents (25 males, 15 females) completed 2360 evaluations (1180 by faculty, and a matched number by residents). PGY level was significantly associated with granting a higher level of autonomy. Gender of residents didn't affect the level of granted autonomy as evaluated by faculty. However, on self-evaluations, female residents rated their degree of autonomy lower than that of their male counterparts.

Gender did not influence the perception of autonomy granted as evaluated by faculty. However, on self-evaluations, female residents reported a lower degree of autonomy received.