This study was conducted to investigate the differences in resident attrition between male and female residents in obstetrics and gynecology. Two different questionnaires were sent, one in March 2001 and one in May 2002, to the residency directors or coordinators of the 246 accredited residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology in the United States. In the first mailing, questions were asked about the numbers of residents who left the program between 1997 and 2001, the postgraduate year upon leaving, their gender, and their reasons for leaving. The categories of reasons for leaving were involuntary dismissal, change of specialty, family (most often spousal) issues, change to another obstetrics and gynecology program, and miscellaneous factors. In addition to these questions, the second questionnaire asked for demographic information about the program, and the distribution of male and female residents in each year. In March 2001, 46% of the questionnaires were completed and returned (113 of 246). Twenty-two of the responding programs (21%) had not lost any residents between 1997 and 2001. The remaining programs reported losing 167 residents over the 4-year period (3.6% attrition rate). Seventy-four percent (124) of those who left the program were women compared with 25% (43) who were men (P = 0.029). Over half (60%) of those who dropped out of a residency program left at the end of the first year. These percentages were similar for men and women. Nearly half of female residents (48%), but only one fourth of male residents (25%), left their residency for family reasons (P = 0.012). Conversely, 55% of men and 26% of women left for a change of specialty (P = 0.001). Equal numbers of men and women were involuntarily dismissed from their program (15% and 17%, respectively) or changed to another obstetrics and gynecology residency (5% each). Analysis of the data acquired in the first questionnaire found that women were more than twice as likely as men to leave a residency for family reasons (odds ratio [OR], 2.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22–5.70). Women were significantly less likely to leave a residency in obstetrics and gynecology for another specialty (OR, 0.275; 95% CI, 0.13–0.56). The response rate was lower for the second questionnaire (30%, 74 of 246), but the responses were similar to the first mailing. Sixteen percent of programs reported no losses, and 84% reported losing 138 residents of whom one third were men and two thirds were women (difference not significant). The attrition rate in May was 2.7%. Family considerations were cited by 52% of female residents and only 17% of male residents as the reason for leaving their training program (P = 0.002; OR, 5.16; 95% CI, 1.71–15.60). Change of specialty was the reason for leaving in 24% of female residents compared with 50% of male residents (P = 0.002; OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.12–0.80). The percentages of men and women who were involuntary dismissed from their program or who changed to another obstetrics and gynecology program were similar.
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