Current practices and perspectives on clerkship grading in obstetrics and gynecology.

BACKGROUND: Clerkship grades in obstetrics and gynecology play an increasingly important role in the competitive application process to residency programs. An analysis of clerkship grading practices has not been queried in the past 2 decades in our specialty. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate obstetrics and gynecology clerkship directors' practices and perspectives in grading. STUDY DESIGN: A 12-item electronic survey was developed and distributed to clerkship directors with active memberships in the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics. RESULTS: A total of 174 of 236 clerkship directors responded to the survey (a response rate of 73.7%). Respondents reported various grading systems with the fewest (20/173 [11.6%]) using a 2-tiered or pass or fail system and the most (72/173 [41.6%]) using a 4-tiered system. Nearly one-third of clerkship directors (57/163 [35.0%]) used a National Board of Medical Examiners subject examination score threshold to achieve the highest grade. Approximately 45 of 151 clerkship directors (30.0%) had grading committees. Exactly half of the clerkship directors (87/174 [50.0%]) reported requiring unconscious bias training for faculty who assess students. In addition, some responded that students from groups underrepresented in medicine (50/173 [28.9%]) and introverted students (105/173 [60.7%]) received lower evaluations. Finally, 65 of 173 clerkship directors (37.6%) agreed that grades should be pass or fail. CONCLUSION: Considerable heterogeneity exists in obstetrics and gynecology clerkship directors' practices and perspectives in grading. Strategies to mitigate inequities and improve the reliability of grading include the elimination of a subject examination score threshold to achieve the highest grade and the implementation of both unconscious bias training and grading committees.

Changes and challenges in the residency application process in obstetrics and gynecology.

Faculty career advisors who guide applicants applying to obstetrics and gynecology residency programs need updated information and resources, given the constant changes and challenges to the residency application process. Initial changes included standardization of the application timeline and interview processes. More recent changes included the utilization of a standardized letter of evaluation, initiation of program signaling, second look visit guidelines, and updated sections in the Electronic Residency Application Service. Challenges in advising include the unmatched applicant and the applicant who is couples matching in the era of program signaling. Additional considerations include applying with the current status of reproductive health law restrictions and preparing for a new residency application platform. The Undergraduate Medical Education Committee of the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics provides this updated guide of the prior 2021 resource for advisors to increase confidence in advising students, boost professional fulfillment with advising activities, and aid in satisfaction with advising resources. This guide covers the continuing challenges and future opportunities in the resident application process.

The Dobbs Decision and Undergraduate Medical Education: The Unintended Consequences and Strategies to Optimize Reproductive Health and a Competent Workforce for the Future.

The June 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision on Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization resulted in state-specific differences in abortion care access across the country. The primary concern in the obstetrics and gynecology education community has been the impact on resident and fellowship training programs. However, the impact on undergraduate medical education and the broad implications for future generations of physicians are crucial to address. It is estimated that 48% of matriculants to MD-granting medical schools will receive their medical education in the 26 states with significant abortion restrictions or bans. Undergraduate medical educators need to continue to adequately teach the basic science, clinical care, and population health outcomes of reproductive medicine, including pregnancy and abortion. In addition, students in states with more restrictions on abortion will have less or no clinical exposure, and those in states with few restrictions may be excluded due to overcrowding of learners from restricted states. Students' own health care also needs to be considered, as access to abortion care for themselves or their partners may create applicant pool demographic shifts by state as applicants consider options for where to pursue their medical education. It is important to ensure that teaching of foundational science of pregnancy, abortion, and reproductive health continues throughout the United States. Undergraduate and graduate medical educators will need to closely monitor the downstream impact of decreased clinical exposure of abortion. Further study of the personal health impact of abortion care access for medical students and awareness of the changing applicant pool demographics by state is needed.

Oral contraceptives vs injectable progestin in their effect on sexual behavior.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare sexual function and hormone concentrations in combined oral contraceptive (COC) and injectable progestin users. STUDY DESIGN: Sexually active COC and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) users completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire, a demographic data form, and had serum testosterone and estradiol levels measured. Multiple linear regression was used to measure associations of interest. RESULTS: Among 50 subjects enrolled, COC users had lower levels of free testosterone compared to DMPA users (0.2 vs 0.6 pg/mL; P < .0001) and higher levels of estradiol (75.8 vs 62.8 pg/mL; P = .0057), but scores of desire (4.2 vs 3.8; P = .27), scores of arousal (5.0 vs 4.8; P = .46), or total scores (30.1 vs 28.8; P = .28) were no different. Demographic characteristics were similar except for ethnicity, level of education, gravidity, parity, and frequency of intercourse. In multivariate analysis, birth control type was not significantly associated with desire score or total FSFI score. CONCLUSION: While users of COC and DMPA have significantly different sex hormone levels, they are not different in sexual function as measured by the FSFI.

Is There an Association Between Bothersome Urinary Symptoms and Postpartum Depression?

OBJECTIVE: Bothersome urinary symptoms are often present postpartum. The objective of this study was to examine the association between bothersome urinary symptoms and screening positive for postpartum depression. METHODS: Women presenting at the routine 6-week postpartum visit were screened for risk of depression with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. A questionnaire comprising delivery characteristics and demographics, 20-item Postpartum Symptom Inventory (PSI), Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI) short form, Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ) short form, and history of depression and antidepressant use was completed. Scores were then compared. RESULTS: Data from 104 women were analyzed, with 89% reporting excellent or good health; 73% delivered vaginally; 22% reported a history of depression, and 7% were taking an antidepressant. Twelve percent were classified as at risk of depression. Median UDI score was 5.6 (range, 0-44.4). Median IIQ score was 0 (range, 0-85.7). There was no statistically significant association between bothersome urinary symptoms and the odds of screening positive for depression using either the UDI (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7-12.5) or the IIQ (adjusted OR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.1-2.9). The UDI score was associated with elevated PSI scores as PSI scores increased by 5.4 points if a woman had a UDI score that was greater than zero versus a UDI score of zero, controlling for education level, age, and whether the patient had a cesarean delivery (95% CI, 2.2-8.6; P = 0.001). The UDI score was not associated with antidepressant use (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 0.5-13.2). The IIQ score had no associations with PSI score (adjusted difference in means, 2.9; 95% CI, -0.9 to 6.8; P = 0.13) or antidepressant use (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 0.4-9.3). CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant association between bothersome urinary symptoms and the odds of screening positive for increased risk of postpartum depression was found. Future work in this area is needed.