Exploring the Impact of the Surgical Exploration and Discovery (SEAD) Program on Medical Students’ Perceptions of Gender Biases in Surgery: A Mixed-Method Evaluation

Deng, Mimi; Nham, Emily; Malvea, Anahita; Ramsay, Tim; Seabrook, Christine; Watterson, James

doi:10.1016/j.jsurg.2020.11.016

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…Further to these supports, SEAD programs provide real-life surgical experiences, potentially decreasing certain perceived barriers for females. 28 We also hypothesize that these early career training experiences may increase the likelihood of finding a same-gender mentor within surgery and provide opportunities to discuss parental leave, amongst other important gender specific concerns. While only about a third of respondents had participated in any sort of surgical career exploration event, nearly 40% reported that these events made them more likely to pursue surgery.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudes of Canadian medical students towards surgical training and perceived barriers to surgical careers: a multicentre survey

et al. 2023

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Background: Medical student interest in surgical specialties continues to decline. This study aims to characterize attitudes of Canadian medical students towards surgical training and perceived barriers to surgical careers. Methods: An anonymous survey was custom designed and distributed to medical students at the University of Alberta and University of Calgary. Survey questions characterized student interest in surgical specialties, barriers to pursuing surgery, and influence of surgical education opportunities on career interest. Results: Survey engagement was 26.7% in 2015 and 24.2% in 2021. General surgery had the highest rate of interest in both survey years (2015: 38.3%, 2021: 39.2%). The most frequently reported barrier was worry about the stress that surgical careers can put on personal relationships (2015: 70.9%, 2021: 73.8%, p = 0.50). Female respondents were significantly more likely to cite gender discrimination as a deterrent to surgical careers (F: 52.0%, M: 5.8%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Despite substantial interest, perception of work-life imbalance was the primary reported barrier to surgical careers. Further, female medical students’ awareness of gender discrimination in surgery highlights the need for continued efforts to promote gender inclusivity within surgical disciplines to support early career women interested in surgery.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudes of Canadian medical students towards surgical training and perceived barriers to surgical careers: a multicentre survey

et al. 2023

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“…Prior research by O’Connor et al found that exposure to orthopedics was positively associated with more women pursuing orthopedic surgery [ 11 ]. Furthermore, a two-week Surgical Exploration and Discovery (SEAD) program decreased medical students’ perceptions that surgeons are intimidating [ 12 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In support of our findings. Deng et al found that a SEAD program can encourage women to pursue surgery by showing them that women can have satisfying careers even though it is a male-dominated field [ 12 ]. Further, prior studies in other specialties support our findings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure to Otolaryngology: Impact on Female Students Considering Surgery

Dinardo¹,

Reese²,

Alison³

et al. 2023

Cureus

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Introduction: Otolaryngology continues to be dominated by men. As of 2019, only 18.4% of practicing otolaryngologists were women. The goal of this project was to introduce female students to otolaryngology as a career. Methods: A Women in Otolaryngology event was held in September 2021. Participants included undergraduate and first- or second-year medical students from the University at Buffalo. During the event, students rotated through three skills stations working with female otolaryngology residents and attending physicians. Participants completed pre-and post-course surveys regarding their attitudes toward women in surgery and their perceptions of surgery and otolaryngology. Results: A total of 17 students that completed both the pre- and post-course surveys were included. The mean age was 22.6 years (range 18-25 yr). Specifically, 13 (76.5%) of the participants were Caucasian, three (17.6%) were Asian, and one (5.9%) was Hispanic, and 15 (88.2%) were medical students. On the pretest, 10 (55.6%) participants strongly agreed or agreed that otolaryngology as a career is open to females, while on the posttest, 16 (88.9%) participants strongly agreed or agreed (p=0.002). Nine (50.0%) participants strongly agreed or agreed that they have access to resources to help make a decision if they want to pursue a career in otolaryngology before the event, while, after the event, 16 (88.9%) participants strongly agreed or agreed (p=0.007). Five (27.8%) participants strongly agreed or agreed prior to the event that they felt confident in their knowledge of what otolaryngology includes, while afterward 15 (83.3%) strongly agreed or agreed (p=0.002). Conclusion: The Women in Otolaryngology event increased participants' confidence in understanding otolaryngology, promoted understanding of resources available, and demonstrated the openness of the specialty to women.

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“…Mimi Deng et al assessed female medical students' knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding gender discrimination in Surgery by using a psychometric survey instrument in their study and discovered a highly prevailing perception of male dominance in Surgery among medical students. 18 Ozlem Midik et al reported in their study that most female student participants communicated that Surgery was more suitable for male students and females could not do Surgery, and College administrators intended to see more male students in Surgery. 15 Akmal Z. Mohd Zahid et al highlighted the gendered learning culture in the Gynaecology/Obstetrics clinical setting.…”

Section: One Student Expressed Her Views As "…Being a Female You Shou...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender Bias During Assessments in Undergraduate Medical Education: A Qualitative Study

Bibi

Jamil

Ahmed

et al. 2022

JMS

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Objective: To explore the perceptions of students and faculty about gender bias during assessments in undergraduate medical education. Material and Method: The study was conducted at a Public and Private Medical College in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan, from June 2020 to October 2020. It was a qualitative study with a phenomenological approach in which, 4 focal group interviews with undergraduate medical students and 10 individual interviews with faculty members were undertaken by using a validated semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The thematic analysis of the data was done where codes were developed and arranged in different categories giving rise to discrete themes. Data triangulation from students and faculty results was done for convergence and correspondence to increase the credibility and authenticity of the study. Results: Out of 24 students and 10 faculty members, half of the participants were females who shared their perceptions about gender bias in medical education. The analysis revealed 30 codes that were labeled and collated into 9 categories. The themes deducted from these categories were Lack of awareness, discriminatory attitude, the societal projection of the phenomenon, and the gendered climate in medical education. Conclusion: Most of the students are not aware of the concept of gender bias. The study emphasizes that bias is a natural phenomenon but society and culture multiply the effect of this phenomenon. Most of the participants do believe that the assessment environment is made more comfortable and positive for female students. The study also revealed that gendered cultures of learning and assessment still exist in Gynaecology/Obstetrics and General Surgery departments. Keywords: Gender bias, Assessment, Undergraduate Medical Education

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Exploring the Impact of the Surgical Exploration and Discovery (SEAD) Program on Medical Students’ Perceptions of Gender Biases in Surgery: A Mixed-Method Evaluation

Cited by 6 publications

References 68 publications

Attitudes of Canadian medical students towards surgical training and perceived barriers to surgical careers: a multicentre survey

Attitudes of Canadian medical students towards surgical training and perceived barriers to surgical careers: a multicentre survey

Exposure to Otolaryngology: Impact on Female Students Considering Surgery

Gender Bias During Assessments in Undergraduate Medical Education: A Qualitative Study

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