Gender differences in the learning and teaching of surgery: a literature review

Abstract

ObjectivesTo explore evidence concerning gender differences in teaching and learning in surgery to guide future initiatives.MethodsThis systematic review was conducted searching in the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ERIC, Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed. All studies related to gender differences in surgical education, teaching or learning of surgery at an undergraduate level were included. Data was extracted and critically appraised. Gender differences in learning, teaching, skills acquisition, perceptions and attitudes, interest on surgery, personality and factors influencing interest in surgical careers were differentiated.ResultsThere is an underrepresentation of women in surgical academia, due to lack of role models and gender awareness. It is not clear whether or not gender itself is a factor that affects the learning of surgical tasks. Female students pursuing a surgical career had experienced sexual harassment and gender discrimination that can have an effect on the professional identity formation and specialty choice. There are differences in personality among female and male students interested in surgery. Gender is a determining factor to choose surgery, with a consistent lower proportion of women compared interested in pursuing a surgical career. Mentoring and personality fit are important in medical student’s specialty selection. Female students are more likely to be discouraged from pursuing a surgical career by a lack of female role models.ConclusionsBias against women in surgery still exists. There is a lack of studies that investigate the role of women in the teaching of surgery.

An index to characterize female career promotion in academic medicine

“…In this respect, the number of women entering medical schools today exceeds 50%, and the number in hospital specialties is expected to exceed 50% by 2016 [26–28]. As shown here, German numbers of the year 2013 indicate a majority of female medical students (60% of all medical students).…”

Gender and Cardiothoracic Surgery Training: Specialty Interests, Satisfaction, and Career Pathways

“…Of note, similar results were obtained when analysis of graduating residents was performed, suggesting this perception of preparation was not dependent on postgraduate year. A survey of academic general surgeons did not find differences in confidence, decisionmaking abilities, or preparation between academic female and male surgeons [2], and previous studies in other areas of surgery have not consistently shown differences in surgical abilities between the genders [9]. A study of practicing surgeons did demonstrate that the genders rely on different strategies for developing successful careers: men relied more on training (29% versus 0% women, p < 0.05), whereas women more frequently cited social supports/networks (88% versus 12% men, p < 0.05) [10].…”

Sexual equality, discrimination and harassment in medicine: it's time to act

“…Surgery is popular among medical students, but their enthusiasm diminishes significantly for both sexes, particularly for women, by the time they need to decide on a specialty. Reasons include the heavy workload and a desire to have children 12 . Once they become surgeons, women are more positive about their career choice than female medical students contemplating such a career 13 .…”

“…A 2014 literature review on gender‐based differences in surgical training found that the lack of role models and gender awareness were responsible for the low numbers of women training in surgery. Women were unlikely to meet a female surgical role model during their training, and were more likely to experience gender‐based discrimination during their surgical rotation ( P < 0.05), leaving them with a perception that surgery was incompatible with a rewarding family life, happy marriage, or having children 12 …”