The role of gender in the decision to pursue a surgical career: A qualitative, interview-based study

Background: Previous literature has explored the underrepresentation of women in surgery. However, this research has often been quantitative or limited by considering only the perspectives and experiences of women at more advanced career stages. Here, we use a qualitative methodology and a sample o...

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Autores principales: Anita Acai, Kaushar Mahetaji, Susan E. Reid, Ranil R. Sonnadara
Formato: article
Lenguaje:EN
Publicado: Canadian Medical Education Journal 2020
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Acceso en línea:https://doaj.org/article/0cd7fee93e3c46ad82e36582e3663199
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spelling oai:doaj.org-article:0cd7fee93e3c46ad82e36582e36631992021-12-01T22:41:18ZThe role of gender in the decision to pursue a surgical career: A qualitative, interview-based study10.36834/cmej.692921923-1202https://doaj.org/article/0cd7fee93e3c46ad82e36582e36631992020-04-01T00:00:00Zhttps://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/cmej/article/view/69292https://doaj.org/toc/1923-1202 Background: Previous literature has explored the underrepresentation of women in surgery. However, this research has often been quantitative or limited by considering only the perspectives and experiences of women at more advanced career stages. Here, we use a qualitative methodology and a sample of women and men across the career continuum to identify the role that gender plays in the decision to pursue a surgical career. Methods: We audio-recorded and transcribed semi-structured interviews conducted with 12 women and 12 men ranging in their level of medical training from medical students to residents to staff surgeons. We used Braun and Clarke’s six-step approach to thematic analysis to analyze the data, maintaining trustworthiness and credibility by employing strategies including reflexivity and participant input.  Results: Our findings suggested that the characteristics of surgery and early exposure to the profession served as important factors in participants’ decisions to pursue a surgical career. Although not explicitly mentioned by participants, each of these areas may implicitly be gendered. Gender-based factors explicitly mentioned by participants included the surgical lifestyle and experiences with gender discrimination, including sexual harassment. These factors were perceived as challenges that disproportionately affected women and needed to be overcome when pursuing a surgical career. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that gender is more likely to act as a barrier to a career in surgery than as a motivator, especially among women. This suggests a need for early experiences in the operating room and mentorship. Policy change promoting work-life integration and education to target gender discrimination is also recommended. Anita AcaiKaushar MahetajiSusan E. ReidRanil R. SonnadaraCanadian Medical Education JournalarticleEducation (General)L7-991Medicine (General)R5-920ENCanadian Medical Education Journal, Vol 11, Iss 4 (2020)
institution DOAJ
collection DOAJ
language EN
topic Education (General)
L7-991
Medicine (General)
R5-920
spellingShingle Education (General)
L7-991
Medicine (General)
R5-920
Anita Acai
Kaushar Mahetaji
Susan E. Reid
Ranil R. Sonnadara
The role of gender in the decision to pursue a surgical career: A qualitative, interview-based study
description Background: Previous literature has explored the underrepresentation of women in surgery. However, this research has often been quantitative or limited by considering only the perspectives and experiences of women at more advanced career stages. Here, we use a qualitative methodology and a sample of women and men across the career continuum to identify the role that gender plays in the decision to pursue a surgical career. Methods: We audio-recorded and transcribed semi-structured interviews conducted with 12 women and 12 men ranging in their level of medical training from medical students to residents to staff surgeons. We used Braun and Clarke’s six-step approach to thematic analysis to analyze the data, maintaining trustworthiness and credibility by employing strategies including reflexivity and participant input.  Results: Our findings suggested that the characteristics of surgery and early exposure to the profession served as important factors in participants’ decisions to pursue a surgical career. Although not explicitly mentioned by participants, each of these areas may implicitly be gendered. Gender-based factors explicitly mentioned by participants included the surgical lifestyle and experiences with gender discrimination, including sexual harassment. These factors were perceived as challenges that disproportionately affected women and needed to be overcome when pursuing a surgical career. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that gender is more likely to act as a barrier to a career in surgery than as a motivator, especially among women. This suggests a need for early experiences in the operating room and mentorship. Policy change promoting work-life integration and education to target gender discrimination is also recommended.
format article
author Anita Acai
Kaushar Mahetaji
Susan E. Reid
Ranil R. Sonnadara
author_facet Anita Acai
Kaushar Mahetaji
Susan E. Reid
Ranil R. Sonnadara
author_sort Anita Acai
title The role of gender in the decision to pursue a surgical career: A qualitative, interview-based study
title_short The role of gender in the decision to pursue a surgical career: A qualitative, interview-based study
title_full The role of gender in the decision to pursue a surgical career: A qualitative, interview-based study
title_fullStr The role of gender in the decision to pursue a surgical career: A qualitative, interview-based study
title_full_unstemmed The role of gender in the decision to pursue a surgical career: A qualitative, interview-based study
title_sort role of gender in the decision to pursue a surgical career: a qualitative, interview-based study
publisher Canadian Medical Education Journal
publishDate 2020
url https://doaj.org/article/0cd7fee93e3c46ad82e36582e3663199
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