Getting Cut - by Virginia Adams O'Connell (Paperback)

About the Book

The national withdrawal rate from medical school averages about 1%, but withdrawal from surgical residency programs is much higher, roughly 16%. The drop out risk is greater for white women and minorities than for white males. Getting Cut examines the factors which lead to res...

Book Synopsis

The national withdrawal rate from medical school averages about 1%, but withdrawal from surgical residency programs is much higher, roughly 16%. The drop out risk is greater for white women and minorities than for white males. Getting Cut examines the factors which lead to resignation from these graduate residency programs by observing the dynamic interplay between the institution and individual residents. Professor O'Connell analyzes the current shortcomings in the process of selection, and looks at how the culture, structure, and organization of these educational programs affect the drop out rate once residents have been accepted. An analysis of the "old boy's network" culture of these surgical programs exposes the greater risk of withdrawal among female and minority residents. Further examination of the process of resident evaluation reveals that in addition to being graded on cognitive knowledge and critical judgment, residents are also evaluated on personal characteristics, the most important being "honesty." Professor O'Connell demonstrates how the medical faculty's subjective assessment of these elusive and contestable qualities not only aid in identifying the morally deficient among the technically proficient, but also how these practices promote discrimination as well.

Review Quotes

"The sex and minority race/ethnicity problems still exist, despite efforts at seeking diversity. Accordingly, this book should be reviewed by program chiefs as a criticism of the old methods and a stimulus for continued change." --The Journal Of The American Medical Association

"Getting Cut is a significant addition to the literature on medical training." --Contemporary Sociology

"...one value of this book is that the perspective of an outsider like O'Connell can lead those of us who are involved in the training of residents to necessary introspection...the book's key concepts...appear valid and relevant, and O'Connell provides sociological insights into the culture of residency that could help program directors and faculty adjust to the inevitable changes that will continue to occur in medicine in general and in surgery in particular." --Edwin A. Deitch, M.D., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, The New England Journal Of Medicine

About the Author

Virginia Adams O'Connell is Assistant Professor of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA. Professor O'Connell is a member of the American Sociological Association, was awarded with the AAUW (American Association of University Women) Dissertation Fellowship in July 2000-June 2001, and actively continues her research on sociological issues.