Perceptions of gender-based discrimination during surgical training and practice
Top Cited Papers
Open Access
- 1 January 2015
- journal article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Medical Education Online
- Vol. 20 (1), 25923
- https://doi.org/10.3402/meo.v20.25923
Abstract
Women represent 15% of practicing general surgeons. Gender-based discrimination has been implicated as discouraging women from surgery. We sought to determine women's perceptions of gender-based discrimination in the surgical training and working environment. Following IRB approval, we fielded a pilot survey measuring perceptions and impact of gender-based discrimination in medical school, residency training, and surgical practice. It was sent electronically to 1,065 individual members of the Association of Women Surgeons. We received 334 responses from medical students, residents, and practicing physicians with a response rate of 31%. Eighty-seven percent experienced gender-based discrimination in medical school, 88% in residency, and 91% in practice. Perceived sources of gender-based discrimination included superiors, physician peers, clinical support staff, and patients, with 40% emanating from women and 60% from men. The majority of responses indicated perceived gender-based discrimination during medical school, residency, and practice. Gender-based discrimination comes from both sexes and has a significant impact on women surgeons.Keywords
This publication has 31 references indexed in Scilit:
- “I'm too used to it”: A longitudinal qualitative study of third year female medical students' experiences of gendered encounters in medical educationSocial Science & Medicine (1982), 2012
- Does Stereotype Threat Affect Women in Academic Medicine?Academic Medicine, 2012
- A randomised trial and economic evaluation of the effect of response mode on response rate, response bias, and item non-response in a survey of doctorsBMC Medical Research Methodology, 2011
- Is There Still a Glass Ceiling for Women in Academic Surgery?Annals of Surgery, 2011
- A National Study of Attrition in General Surgery TrainingAnnals of Surgery, 2010
- Universal problems during residency: abuse and harassmentMedical Education, 2009
- An exploration of unspoken bias: women who work for womenGender in Management: An International Journal, 2009
- Experiences of belittlement and harassment and their correlates among medical students in the United States: longitudinal surveyBMJ, 2006
- Grounded Theory: An Exploration of Process and ProcedureQualitative Health Research, 2006
- Gender Discrimination and Sexual Harassment in Medical EducationAcademic Medicine, 2002