The effect of student gender on the obstetrics and gynecology clerkship experience

OBJECTIVES

To explore the effects of the students' gender on their perception of quality and quantity of teaching, the amount of experiential learning, and their interest in obstetrics and gynecology.

METHODS

Anonymous, self-administered surveys to third-year medical students rotating on the obstetrics and gynecology clerkship.

RESULTS

Eighty-one of 91 students participated (89% response rate): 33 men, 46 women, 2 declined to reveal their gender. No significant gender differences existed regarding number of interactions with residents and faculty; number of deliveries, surgeries, or examinations performed; perceived quality of teaching; or feeling included as part of the clinical team. Male students were more likely to report performing specific surgical procedures, such as operating the bovie cautery during gynecological surgeries (p = 0.005). More men experienced patients refusing to allow them to participate in the clinical interview (p < 0.0001) and physical examination (p < 0.0001). Male students were also more likely to report feeling that their gender negatively impacted their clerkship experience (p < 0.0001). Although less likely to report preclerkship and postclerkship career interest in obstetrics and gynecology, male students were more likely to report that their interest increased at the end of the clerkship.

CONCLUSIONS

Male students were more likely to experience gender bias from patients on the obstetrics and gynecology service. Male students also described feeling socially excluded from female-dominated clinical teams. Obstetrics and gynecology educators need to consider methods of encouraging patients to accept medical student participation regardless of gender. Obstetrics and gynecology faculty and residents need to be sensitive to subtle forms of gender bias and ensure equal inclusion for both male and female medical students.

Residents as role models: the effect of the obstetrics and gynecology clerkship on medical students' career interest

BACKGROUND

Medical students' choice of residency specialty is based in part on their clerkship experience. Postclerkship interest in a particular specialty is associated with the students' choice to pursue a career in that field. But, many medical students have a poor perception of their obstetrics and gynecology clerkships.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether fourth-year medical students' perceptions of teaching quality and quantity and amount of experiential learning during the obstetrics-gynecology clerkship helped determine their interest in obstetrics-gynecology as a career choice.

METHODS

We distributed an anonymous, self-administered survey to all third-year medical students rotating through their required obstetrics and gynecology clerkship from November 2006 to May 2007. We performed bivariate analysis and used χ(2) analysis to explore factors associated with general interest in obstetrics and gynecology and interest in pursuing obstetrics and gynecology as a career.

RESULTS

Eighty-one students (N  =  91, 89% response rate) participated. Postclerkship career interest in obstetrics and gynecology was associated with perceptions that the residents behaved professionally (P < .0001) and that the students were treated as part of a team (P  =  .008). Having clear expectations on labor and delivery procedures (P  =  .014) was associated with postclerkship career interest. Specific hands-on experiences were not statistically associated with postclerkship career interest. However, performing more speculum examinations in the operating room trended toward having some influence (P  =  .068). Although more women than men were interested in obstetrics and gynecology as a career both before (P  =  .027) and after (P  =  .014) the clerkship, men were more likely to increase their level of career interest during the clerkship (P  =  .024).

CONCLUSIONS

Clerkship factors associated with greater postclerkship interest include higher satisfaction with resident professional behavior and students' sense of inclusion in the clinical team. Obstetrics and gynecology programs need to emphasize to residents their role as educators and professional role models for medical students.

Colposcopically obtained images of vulvar, vaginal, and cervical epithelium for assessment of safety of intravaginal agents among normal adolescent females: comparison with in vivo exam and interobserver agreement

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to assess identification of epithelial abnormalities of both in vivo examination as compared with colposcopically obtained images and interobserver assessment of the same images of the lower genital tract in healthy women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety women between the ages of 14 and 21 years were recruited for a phase II trial of a vaginal Lactobacillus crispatus capsule. All women underwent a baseline and 1-week colposcopic examination. Multiple genital tract areas were evaluated for abnormalities and photographed. The original examiner and two experienced colposcopists reevaluated all images masked to previous interpretations. Agreement was evaluated using kappa statistics.

RESULTS

The representative kappa statistics for direct observation vs photographic interpretation for the vulva, vagina, and cervix are: 37%, -2%, and -4%, respectively. The kappa statistics comparing the three observers ranged from 1% to 39%. CONCLUSIONS.: There is poor agreement between in vivo exams and photographic interpretation, and interobserver assessments of lower genital tract photographs.

Smoking is a risk factor for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 among oncogenic human papillomavirus DNA-positive women with equivocal or mildly abnormal cytology

BACKGROUND

Smoking is a potential risk factor for cervical cancer and its immediate precursor, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3), but few studies have adequately taken into account the possible confounding effect of oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

METHODS

Women (n = 5,060) with minimally abnormal Papanicolaou smears were enrolled in the ASCUS and LSIL Triage Study, a clinical trial to evaluate management strategies, and were seen every 6 months for the 2-year duration of the study. Cervical specimens were tested for HPV DNA using both Hybrid Capture 2 and PGMY09/11 L1 consensus primer PCR with reverse line blot hybridization for genotyping. Multivariate logistics regression models were used to assess associations [odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI)] between smoking behaviors and rigorously reviewed cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or cancer (> or =CIN3) identified throughout the study (n = 506) in women with oncogenic HPV (n = 3,133).

RESULTS

Current smoking was only weakly associated with increased HPV infection. Among infected women, current smokers (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.4-2.1) and past smokers (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.4) were more likely to be diagnosed with > or =CIN3 than nonsmokers. Greater smoking intensity (P(Trend) < 0.0005) and duration (P(Trend) < 0.0005) increased the strength of the association, with smoking > or =2 packs/d (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.5-7.5) and smoking for > or =11 years (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.5-2.9) most strongly associated with > or =CIN3 as compared to non-smokers. The effects of intensity and duration seemed additive.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with oncogenic HPV and minimally abnormal Papanicolaou smears who smoke were up to three times more likely to be diagnosed with > or =CIN3 than nonsmokers. Smoking cessation trials targeting this population might be warranted.

Optical detection of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in vivo: results of a 604-patient study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the in vivo optical detection of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (2/3+) on the whole cervix with a noncontact, spectroscopic device.

STUDY DESIGN

Cervical scanning devices collected intrinsic fluorescence and broadband white light spectra and video images from 604 women during routine colposcopy examinations at 6 clinical centers. A statistically significant dataset was developed of intrinsic fluorescence and white light-induced cervical tissue spectra that was correlated to expert histopathologic determination. On the basis of a retrospective analysis of the acquired data, a classification algorithm was developed, validated, and optimized.

RESULTS

Intrinsic fluorescence, backscattered white light, and video imaging each contribute complementary information to diagnostic algorithms for high-grade cervical neoplasia. More than 10000 measurements that were made on colposcopically identified tissue from >500 subjects were the basis for algorithm training and testing. Algorithm performance demonstrated a sensitivity of approximately 90%. This performance was confirmed by various training methods. With the use of a multivariate classification algorithm, optical detection is predicted to detect 33% more high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (2/3+) than colposcopy alone.

CONCLUSION

Full cervix optical interrogation for the detection of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is feasible and appears capable of detecting more high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia than colposcopy alone. With the use of this classification algorithm, a multisite, randomized controlled trial is underway that compares the combination of optical detection and colposcopy versus colposcopy alone.

The abnormal Papanicolaou smear

Despite its limitations, the Pap smear is a widely accepted, powerful screening technique for cellular abnormalities of the cervix. Abnormal Pap smears are found in 1% to 5% of the screened population, depending on the population characteristics. It is therefore important for all clinicians caring for women to be familiar with the principles of Pap smear screening, its strengths and weaknesses, the terminology used to interpret results, and the options for appropriate response to an abnormal smear. High-grade lesions require colposcopic examination and treatment; low-grade lesions require colposcopic examination and either treatment or close follow-up; atypical smears require some response, either repeated cytology or further investigation; glandular lesions require colposcopic examination and investigation of the endocervix. A tremendous amount of research is going on to assess the safest, most cost-effective approach to the detection, evaluation, and management of cervical epithelial lesions. It can be expected, therefore, that these recommendations will change over the next several years. All physicians providing health care for women should keep abreast of these changes.

Short term treatment with leuprolide acetate is a successful adjunct to surgical therapy of leiomyomas of the uterus

Gonadotropin releasing hormone analogs (GnRHa) have been used to induce a reduction in the size of leiomyomas of the uterus after three to six months of therapy. However, none of the studies have noted a significant decrease in size by the first month. Additionally, the results of two reports have suggested long term therapy with GnRHa induced significant aberrations of serum lipoproteins. To evaluate whether or not analog treatment for a short course (two months) would be efficacious, 27 patients with leiomyomas documented by examination of the pelvic area and vaginal ultrasound, who desired to preserve reproductive potential, had myomectomies two and one-half months after commencing depot leuprolide acetate therapy. The reduction in size of the uterus was 35 percent by the first month and the average reduction in the total volume was 44 percent after two months of treatment (474 +/- 364 to 265 +/- 173 milliliters; p less than 0.01). Furthermore, the size of the uterus, determined by examination, decreased significantly from 13.6 +/- 4.0 weeks initially to 10.1 +/- 3.0 weeks preoperatively (p less than 0.0001). Estradiol levels became menopausal by one month of therapy and remained suppressed preoperatively. Menopausal symptoms were well tolerated. Cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, extremely low density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels were not altered by analog treatment, although low density lipoprotein increased from 117 to 130 milligrams per deciliter. A short course of depot leuprolide acetate reduced the size of leiomyomas and surgical tissue planes were preserved, facilitating removal of leiomyomas, and furthermore, there was no significant clinical alteration in lipoprotein or triglyceride levels.

Endometrial morphology in asymptomatic postmenopausal women

Few data are available regarding endometrial histologic features in asymptomatic perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. This study encompasses endometrial biopsy specimens obtained from 801 such women before enrollment in a multicenter study of estrogen-progestin replacement. One endometrial cancer was found (0.13%); four additional biopsy specimens showed atypia (total 0.63%). The endometrium was atrophic in 373 (46.9%), proliferative in 133 (16.7%), secretory in 54 (6.8%), and hyperplastic in 41 (5.2%). Insufficient tissue for diagnosis was obtained in 195 (24.5%). We conclude that the yield for neoplasia is so low that screening endometrial biopsy is not justified in asymptomatic perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Detection of human papillomavirus DNA in genital lesions by using a modified commercially available in situ hybridization assay

A modified, commercially available DNA-DNA in situ hybridization test that uses biotinylated probes for the identification of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA types 6/11, 16/18, and 31/33/35 was evaluated. HPV DNA was detected in 314 of 787 (40%) histologically abnormal genital biopsy specimens by using the ViraType in situ assay (Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, Md.), in which the hybridization time was increased from 2 to 16 h. Ninety percent of positive condyloma acuminata specimens contained HPV type 6/11 DNA. The prevalences of HPV DNA for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I, II, and III lesions by this in situ hybridization test were 42, 54, and 55%, respectively. The combined prevalence of HPV type 16/18 and 31/33/35 DNAs increased with the severity of the lesion, while the prevalence of type 6/11 DNA decreased. HPV type 6/11 DNA was found only in 1 of 16 (6%) positive cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III specimens. HPV type 16/18 and 31/33/35 DNA was detected in 11 of 16 (69%) and 4 of 16 (25%) in situ hybridization-positive cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III specimens, respectively. Thus, the observation that certain "higher-risk" HPV genotypes are associated with upper-grade cervical precancer lesions was confirmed by this commercial hybridization system. In general, the assay was found to be well suited for use in the clinical laboratory. The ViraType in situ procedure modified for a longer hybridization time may be helpful in identifying lesions containing higher-risk HPV strains.

Detection of human papillomavirus DNA in cervical lesions by in situ hybridization using biotinylated DNA probes

In situ hybridization (ISH) for human papillomavirus (HPV)-6, -11, -16, -18, and -31 DNA was performed on 615 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cervical biopsies using biotinylated DNA probes. Results were obtained from 584 samples with 266 (45.5%) containing HPV-DNA sequences. Ninety percent of condyloma acuminatum specimens were positive for HPV-DNA with 18 of 19 positive cases containing HPV-6 or -11 DNA. The detection rate of HPV in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) lesions was 50.6% (239 of 472), while only 8 of 91 (8.9%) cervical biopsies considered to be histologically normal or with minimal dysplasia contained HPV-DNA as demonstrated by ISH. The prevalence of HPV-16, -18, and/or -31 DNA increased with the severity of the lesions, with 20 of 20 (100%) positive CIN-III lesions containing these viral types compared with 102 of 157 (65.0%) positive CIN-I lesions. ISH with biotinylated DNA probes appears helpful in identifying lesions containing higher risk viral strains.

'Polyposis vaginalis' of pregnancy

Clinical and pathologic findings in a pregnant 15-year-old with vaginal polyposis disclosed numerous polyps throughout the vagina and portio of the cervix that disappeared spontaneously 6 weeks post partum. These polyps can be confused microscopically with sarcoma botryoides, although they are benign and may regress completely.

The role of gender in an obstetrics and gynecology residency program

A brief historical review of the role of female medical students and female physicians in American medicine is presented. The 1985-1986 Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Data Bank was analyzed for gender distribution. Questionnaire studies were undertaken to study the possible effect of the increasing number of female residents in an obstetrics and gynecology residency program. Queries were sent to current and former residents, the attending staff, and the nursing and anesthesiology staffs. In order to evaluate the national scene, letters were mailed to directors of programs with 20 or more residents. The overall results indicated female residents have a positive effect on residency training.