Are entering obstetrics/gynecology residents more similar to the entering primary care or surgery resident workforce?
OBJECTIVE
We compared demographic characteristics of first-year residents entering obstetrics/gynecology with those entering primary care and surgery.


METHODS
We analyzed first-year residents from the 1997-2004 National Graduate Medical Education Census. Multivariable logistic regression models identified independent associations between obstetrics/gynecology residency (compared with primary care and surgery) and demographic predictor variables.


RESULTS
More than 90% of studied programs completed the National Graduate Medical Education Census for 146,174 first-year residents. Graduates of US allopathic medical schools, women, African Americans, and entering residents in 2003 and 2004 were more likely to enter obstetrics/gynecology than primary care; Asians were less likely to enter obstetrics/gynecology than primary care. Women, African Americans, and Hispanics were more likely to enter obstetrics/gynecology than surgery; trainees who were Asian, "other" race/ethnicity, and entered residency from 1999-2004 were less likely to enter obstetrics/gynecology than surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Demographic characteristics of incoming obstetrics/gynecology-residents differed significantly from both primary care and surgery residents. Obstetrics/gynecology should be a unique category in physician workforce studies.
McAlister
Rebecca P
RP
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Medical Association, Chicago, IL, USA. mcalisterr@wustl.edu <mcalisterr@wustl.edu>
Andriole
Dorothy A
DA
Brotherton
Sarah E
SE
Jeffe
Donna B
DB
D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D002568:Certification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010820:Physicians / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010822:Physicians, Women / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011320:Primary Health Care; D000078329:Workforce