Nurses’ perceptions of women surgeons: Is there gender discrimination in the surgeon-nurse relationship?

Espeut, Abigail; Ross, Sharona; Spence, Janelle; Luberice, Kenneth; Millen, Janelle-Cheri; Sucandy, Iswanto; Rosemurgy, Alexander S.

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.12.011

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 1 publication

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In a busy surgical practice, having to spend extra time to get appropriate equipment can create an additional responsibility and barrier for female surgeons 34 . In addition, having to frequently ask operating room staff for assistance can strain relationships with staff, which are already more difficult to navigate for female surgeons 35,36 . Overall, the physical and mental challenges of a material environment not adapted to the female body contribute to a sense of alienation from the surgical culture.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Female Surgical Ergonomics in Otolaryngology: A Qualitative Study

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ObjectiveTo explore the surgical ergonomic challenges experienced by women in otolaryngology, identify specific equipment that is ergonomically challenging, and assess the impact of suboptimal ergonomics on female otolaryngologists.MethodsWe performed a qualitative study using an interpretive framework rooted in grounded theory. We performed semi‐structured qualitative interviews of 14 female otolaryngologists from nine institutions at various stages in training and across subspecialties. Interviews were independently analyzed by thematic content analysis by two researchers and inter‐rater reliability was assessed via Cohen's kappa. Differing opinions were reconciled via discussion.ResultsParticipants noted difficulties with equipment including microscopes, chairs, step stools, and tables as well as difficulty using larger surgical instruments, preference for smaller instruments, frustration with lack of smaller instruments, and a desire for a larger spectrum of instrument sizes. Participants reported neck, hand, and back pain associated with operating. Participants suggested modifications to the operative environment, including a wider variety of instrument sizes, adjustable instruments, and more focus and attention on ergonomic issues and the range of surgeon physiques. Participants felt that optimizing their operating room set‐up was an additional burden on them, and that lack of inclusive instrumentation affected their sense of belonging. Participants emphasized positive stories of mentorship and empowerment from peers and superiors of all genders.ConclusionFemale otolaryngologists face unique ergonomic challenges. As the otolaryngology workforce becomes increasingly diverse, it is important to address the needs of a diverse set of physiques to avoid inadvertently disadvantaging certain individuals.Level of EvidenceN/A Laryngoscope, 2023

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Female Surgical Ergonomics in Otolaryngology: A Qualitative Study

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Many participants reported difficulties with extra operating room set up and needing to ask staff for help. Prior work has shown that the relationships of female surgeons with operating room staff is already more strained than those of their male counterparts, and these ergonomic issues may add more stress to these relationships, with female surgeons being perceived as more demanding in their effort to create a more comfortable and safe set up to operate 30,31 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Prior work has shown that the relationships of female surgeons with operating room staff is already more strained than those of their male counterparts, and these ergonomic issues may add more stress to these relationships, with female surgeons being perceived as more demanding in their effort to create a more comfortable and safe set up to operate. 30,31 Reassuringly, most participants did not feel that surgical ergonomics affected their career choices or trajectory. Nevertheless, a significant minority felt that surgical ergonomics affected their sense of belonging as a surgeon or their perception of their own skill.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Female Surgical Ergonomics in Otolaryngology: A National Survey Study

Morse,

Tai,

Harpel

et al. 2023

Otolaryngol.--head neck surg.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ObjectiveTo assess the nature and impact surgical ergonomic challenges experienced by female otolaryngologists.Study DesignNational survey study.SettingFemale otolaryngology residents, fellows and attendings recruited via social media posting and email distribution.MethodsWe distributed a survey study to female otolaryngologists throughout the United States. The height and glove size of participants reporting difficulties with equipment and instruments were compared to those not reporting difficulties.ResultsNinety‐six female otolaryngologists participated in our study, comprised of 43% residents, 10% fellows, and 47% attendings. Ninety percent of participants reported difficulties using equipment and 77% of participants reported difficulty with instruments, the most common being nasal endoscopic instruments (28%). The vast majority of participants reported pain during and (or) after the operation (92%). Head and neck (53%) and rhinology (44%) were identified as particularly challenging specialities, but only 25% of participants reported that ergonomics affected their career plans. Participants felt that adjustable equipment (60%), a variety of sizes of instruments (43%), and more discussion around ergonomics (47%) would help. Respondents reported adjusting the operating room to accommodate their size took extra time (44%) and was a mental burden (39%). Participants reporting difficulties with operating room equipment were significantly shorter than those without difficulties (64 inches vs 67 inches, P = .037), and those reporting difficulties with instruments had a smaller median glove size (6 vs 6.5, P = .018).ConclusionSurgical ergonomics represent a challenge for female otolaryngologists, particularly those with smaller hands and shorter height. Partnering with industry, we must address the needs of an increasingly diverse workforce to ensure that all surgeons can operate effectively and comfortably.

show abstract

“…A qualitative study of 45 surgeons (29 women and 16 men) examined the impact of the interaction between surgeons and nursing and found that women surgeons experienced asymmetric expectations which resulted in status-leveling behaviors; for example, performative pleasantries or helping a nurse with specific tasks to help gain cooperation and diminish the risk of undermining behavior [30]. From the nursing perspective, a survey of 330 operating room nurses, 93% female, were surveyed at 9 medical centers and found that 54% felt that women surgeons interact differently with nurses and 76% thought that nurses did not discriminate against women surgeons [31 ▪ ]. In a 2021 scoping review of gender-based microaggressions in surgery, the authors defined seven categories of microaggressions experienced by female surgeons, trainees, and medical students.…”

Section: Impact On Female Surgeonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The surgical gender gap: the impact of surgeon gender in medicine and gynecologic surgery

Galhotra

Smith

Norton

et al. 2022

Current Opinion in Obstetrics &Amp; Gynecology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose of reviewThe purpose of this review is to summarize the current literature evaluating the effect of surgeon gender on patient outcomes and satisfaction, and the impact of gender bias on female surgeons. Recent findingsThe proportion of female physicians has increased in recent years, especially in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Recent literature assessing this impact supports equivalent or superior medical and surgical outcomes for women surgeons and physicians. It also reveals superior counseling and communication styles as perceived by patients. However, women in medicine receive lower patient ratings in competence, medical knowledge, and technical skills despite the existing evidence. Additionally, female physicians experience pay inequality, limited advancement opportunities, higher prevalence of microaggressions, and higher rates of burnout.

show abstract

Nurses’ perceptions of women surgeons: Is there gender discrimination in the surgeon-nurse relationship?

Cited by 8 publications

References 1 publication

Female Surgical Ergonomics in Otolaryngology: A Qualitative Study

Female Surgical Ergonomics in Otolaryngology: A Qualitative Study

Female Surgical Ergonomics in Otolaryngology: A National Survey Study

The surgical gender gap: the impact of surgeon gender in medicine and gynecologic surgery

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About