From Observation to Participation: Gender Differences and Surgical Exposure among Medical Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2025.3843Keywords:
students, surgery, gender difference, observation, Clinical rotationsAbstract
Introduction: Surgical rotations are critical to the clinical education of medical students, bridging theoretical knowledge with practical experience. In many medical institutions, the transition from passive observation to active participation in surgical settings remains inconsistent and may be influenced by gender disparities. This study aimed to assess the extent of surgical exposure among clinical medical students in Georgia, with a particular focus on gender-based differences in opportunities to participate actively during general surgery rotations.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate medical students from the University of Georgia, Ilia State University, European University, Caucasus University, and Caucasus International University in Tbilisi, following ethical approval. The survey was carried out from June 27 to July 18, 2025. Participants were asked about the duration of their general surgery rotation, the number and types of procedures they observed and assisted with, and their involvement in basic surgical tasks. Perceptions of supervisory support, feedback, and overall satisfaction were measured using a Likert scale. Gender-based comparisons were analyzed using independent sample t-tests, with statistical significance at p < 0.05.
Results: Of the 96 respondents (mean age: 24.05 ± 2.65 years), 52 were female (54.2%) and 44 male (45.8%). Most students (58.3%) spent 2–4 weeks in general surgery rotations. Only 70.8% had the chance to perform basic surgical skills under supervision. Male students were more likely to have scrubbed in during surgeries compared to females. Males also reported significantly more opportunities to perform basic surgical tasks (p = 0.007) and assist in operations (p = 0.017). While both genders reported similar perceptions of supervisor approachability, female students rated their overall learning experience lower on average. 43.8% of all students strongly disagreed they had sufficient hands-on practice, and only 16.7% received regular constructive feedback. When asked whether the experience increased their interest in pursuing a surgical career, only about one-third agreed or strongly agreed, with a slight but not statistically significant male predominance.
Conclusion: This study showed the presence of gender-based disparities, with male students receiving significantly more hands-on opportunities. Addressing these gaps through more structured and equitable training is essential to ensure that all students gain meaningful surgical experience.
Table 1. Survey of Medical Students’ Surgical Exposure, Participation, and Satisfaction
Exposure to Surgical Procedures
Approximately how many weeks did your General Surgery rotation last?
Less than 2 weeks
5
5.2
2–4 weeks
56
58.3
5–8 weeks
26
27.1
More than 8 weeks
9
9.4
How many surgeries did you observe during your rotation?
Less than 2 weeks
22
22.9
1–5
47
49.0
6–10
17
17.7
More than 10
10
10.4
How many surgeries did you assist in (scrubbed in)?
None
66
68.8
1–3
24
25.0
4–7
3
3.1
More than 7
3
3.1
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Copyright (c) 2025 Nnaemeka Emmanuel Mgbedo, Jametta Ukpong, Alvin Turay , Orugbaoghene Mba , Oritsemimajemite Lori
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