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
Materias:	Education (General) L7-991 Medicine (General) R5-920
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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The role of gender in the decision to pursue a surgical career: A qualitative, interview-based study

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