Role Modeling for Female Surgeons in Japan

Abstract

Japan is still a patriarchal society. There is an increasing number of female doctors who wish to follow a career path in surgery. This new generation of female surgeons need support not only in their career but also in work-life balance, especially after they have a family. We founded the Japan Association of Women Surgeons (JAWS) with the aims to advance females in surgery by providing networking and to develop leadership, mentorship, education, expertise and advocacy. This article describes our philosophy and activities, and our concept of role modeling. To find a single perfect role model is impossible in Japan, because lifestyle and family situations are quite different among individuals. Many young doctors in Japan find difficulties in identifying role models appropriate to their own situations. Our concept of remote role modeling is to identify multiple outstanding persons with excellent roles that one wishes to emulate; classify them by field of work, lifestyle, family situations, and others; then select the parts that one needs and assemble them to customize one's own ideal role model. This type of role modeling is probably the most practical approach. While modern technology is good for communication, meeting role models in person at meetings and social occasions is important in building an ideal role model.

Role modelling in professional identity formation: a systematic scoping review

“…• Learners emulate role models that they feel are closer to their own present identity ( 71 , 72 , 74 , 75 , 111 , 159 )…”

“…• Influences career choice ( 59 , 60 , 70 , 71 , 73 , 75 – 78 , 80 , 86 , 88 – 90 , 95 , 98 , 99 , 102 , 109 , 111 – 113 , 118 , 126 , 134 , 135 , 137 , 138 , 140 , 143 , 153 , 155 , 157 , 158 , 160 , 162 , 166 , 169 , 170 , 174 , 177 , 179 – 185 )…”

“…• Motivating and inspiring, positivity ( 66 , 71 , 73 , 76 , 80 , 89 , 90 , 97 , 102 , 109 , 111 , 113 , 116 , 128 , 153 – 155 , 157 , 165 , 171 , 189 , 195 )…”

Role models as a factor influencing career choice among female surgical residents in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

“…Among these are surgical clerkship experiences and interactions with attending physicians and residents [ 16 ]. However, few literatures have studied the association between exposure to role models and decision to pursue a career in surgery [ 13 , 20 ]. It has been demonstrated that the influence of role models is a significant factor determining the choice of postgraduate training among medical students [ 8 , 21 – 24 ].…”

“…A systematic review [ 11 ] has extensively explored the factors affecting female surgeons in choosing their career; the evidence in local studies is, however, insufficient [ 12 ]. In a study conducted in Japan, female surgeons described the importance of having a role model to help them be more productive in their careers, although they indicated that finding the ideal model was difficult [ 13 ]. Another study in Virginia revealed that 35% of female medical students were discouraged from pursuing a surgical career because of the lack of female role models [ 4 ].…”