Women in Surgery Events Alone do not Change Medical Student Perceptions of Gender Bias and Discrimination in Orthopaedic Surgery

Abstract

AimsThis study investigated the perceptions of medical students regarding the barriers to pursuing a career in trauma and orthopaedics (T&O); and whether these perceptions were altered by attending an event promoting women in T&O.MethodsAn event consisting of presentations and interactive sessions from two female T&O trainees was hosted online. Attendees completed pre and post-event questionnaires. Students were asked about their previous exposure to T&O, perceptions of gender imbalances in T&O and what barriers they perceived prevented women from entering T&O. Univariate analysis was performed to identify changes in perceptions following the event.ResultsPre-event questionnaires were completed by 102 people; and post-event by 52. Although 64/102 respondents were considering a career in T&O, 26/102 were dissuaded by perceived gender disparities. Perceptions of gender disparities were significantly higher in UK based attendees compared to other nationalities (p = 0.047). Attendees were more likely to want to pursue a career in T&O if they had been directly exposed at medical school (p = 0.044), but exposure did not alter perceptions of women in T&O. The most common perceived barrier was the orthopaedic stereotype followed by male dominated workplace culture, and lack of female role models. Pre and post-event responses did not differ significantly for any areas examined.ConclusionThere are significant concerns amongst medical students regarding gender based discrimination within T&O, and these perceptions were not altered by attending a one-off women in T&O event. Early exposure to T&O appears important to improve interest in orthopaedics, whereas negative stereotyping is a barrier.

Israeli Female Physicians' Motives for Choosing Orthopedics as Their Specialty Choice

“…This finding is consistent with the literature. There is evidence that early exposure is critical for increasing female medical students’ interest in orthopedic surgery [13]. However, in light of the fact that the difference in percentages of exposure of the two groups to this field during their medical studies was relatively small—80% versus 60%—it can be suggested that the early exposure possibly plays a certain role in the choice of this field, but this role is not significant.…”

“…This finding suggests that the desire to specialize in orthopedics possibly appears even before the medical studies, thus supporting previous findings. There is evidence that students choosing orthopedics often make this decision prior to medical school [13, 15].…”

“…This finding is consistent with the literature. Other studies show that female orthopedic residents feel that orthopedic surgeons practice gender discrimination [11, 13].…”

“…Another common barrier to increased female representation in orthopedics is a lack of early exposure to this field [12]. There is evidence that early exposure is critical for increasing female medical student interest in pursuing a career in orthopedics [13, 14]. Nonetheless, one study found that exposure during medical school played a less influential role in choosing an orthopedic career than in choosing other disciplines [15].…”

Association of Socioeconomic Status, Sex, Racial, and Ethnic Identity with Sustained and Cultivated Careers in Surgery

“…However, studies have shown that activities and initiatives to support women in surgery without other institutional support do not change students' perception of gender bias in surgery. 30 Institutional support may include promoting equitable career progression for women surgeons, mitigating gender bias and discrimination in the workplace, and increasing the number of women surgeons across subspecialties. In our study, we found that although USMLE Step 1 and satisfaction with surgery clerkship was significantly associated with both sustained and cultivated paths in surgery, it did not mitigate the sociodemographic disparity in retention of surgical career.…”