Left-Handedness in Obstetrics and Gynecology: A Nationwide Survey of US Trainees and Educators

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 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.

Automated summary

This study investigated the views and influence of left-handedness among obstetrics and gynecology trainees and educators. It found that left-handed trainees face unique challenges during their training, such as a lack of left-handed surgical instruments and difficulty using right-handed tools. The majority of left-handed trainees did not consider their handedness to be a disadvantage, but noted added difficulty when training under right-handed mentors. RH educators also endorsed added difficulty in instructing operative procedures to LH trainees compared to LH educators.