It seems that there is great interest in the fields of orthopaedic trauma among both female and male students in the middle portion of their studies. Women, especially, tend to prefer a specialisation in this operative field early in the course of their studies. However, this pool of potential successors decreases dramatically with time, due to personal experiences garnered on the wards, expectations regarding career paths (male-dominated, long hours) as well as concerns about family planning. The most dramatic shift seems to occur during the practical year.