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Am J Perinatol 2023; 40(16): 1820-1826
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1739406
Original Article

Left-Handedness in Obstetrics and Gynecology: A Nationwide Survey of U.S. Trainees and Educators

Christopher P. Moutos 
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas
,
Daphne D. Arena Goncharov
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas
,
Antonio F. Saad 
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas
,
Gwyn Richardson
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas
,
Sangeeta Jain
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas
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Abstract

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the views and influence of left-handedness among obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) trainees and educators and to identify perceived obstacles in training by left-handed (LH) trainees.

Study Design An online survey was sent to the U.S. Obstetrics and Gynecology training programs. All participants were asked questions on hand preference for various medical and nonmedical activities, as well as on demographics. Participant responses to handedness and their role as a learner or educator directed them toward further questions. Trainees were surveyed on their experience and outlook as a LH physician in OBGYN. Educators were surveyed on their experience and attitudes in working with LH trainees. LH educators were also surveyed on their experience as a LH physician, similar to the LH trainees. Chi-square or Fisher's exact analysis was used as appropriate, with p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results Responses were received from 21 training programs, totaling 304 individuals. Participants included 205 learners (156 right handed and 49 left handed), and 99 faculty (82 right handed and 17 left handed). A lack of LH surgical instrument availability (93.6%) and difficulty using right-handed (RH) instruments (83%) were notable obstacles reported by LH learners. The majority of LH learners (57.4%) did not consider their handedness to be disadvantageous but did note added difficulty when training under RH mentors when compared with training under LH mentors (66%). In contrast to LH educators, RH educators endorsed added difficulty in instructing operative procedures to LH learners (32.1 vs. 13.3%, p = 0.012).

Conclusion LH trainees face unique challenges during their OBGYN training. Educators would benefit from guidance on how best to manage these trainees. Educators should work to adapt surgical and procedural techniques to accommodate LH trainees.

Key Points

  • LH learners reported more difficulty in training under RH mentors.

  • RH mentors reported increased difficulty in educating LH trainees.

  • Neither trainees nor educators considered being LH a significant disadvantage.

Keywords

education - hand laterality - left hand - surgery - training

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 13 January 2021

Accepted: 04 October 2021

Article published online:
22 November 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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