Sex and the orthopaedic surgeon: a survey of patient, medical student and male orthopaedic surgeon attitudes towards female orthopaedic surgeons

Abstract

Objective: To ascertain whether perceived negative attitudes regarding female orthopaedic surgeons impact on female medical student career choice of orthopaedic surgery and determine to what extent these perceptions hold true among orthopaedic surgeons and patients.

Subjects and methods: A structured questionnaire, distributed to three study cohorts; 311 medical students, 182 patients and 54 orthopaedic surgeons from two specialist orthopaedic hospitals, asked questions pertaining to views regarding female orthopaedic surgeons. Binary questions and 5-point Likert scale statements were scored. Analysis was undertaken using Fisher's exact test and the trend test for proportions. Qualitative responses were categorised into themes and reported. Significance levels were set at < or = 0.05.

Results: Only 24% of female students would consider orthopaedic surgical careers, differing significantly from male students (p = < 0.01). The reasons given included disinterest and male domination. Significantly greater female students had been exposed to negative attitudes regarding female surgeons (p = < 0.01), of which 62% would not consider surgery. Most patients (89%) had no sex-preference for orthopaedic surgeon. Seventy-five percent believed women are surgically as skilled as men and 4% of the patients stated they had more confidence in female orthopaedic surgeons compared to males. Fifty-eight percent of the surgeons had never encountered negative attitudes. Of those that had, skill and family responsibilities were questioned. All agreed there is a place for women in orthopaedic surgical careers and welcomed diversity.

Conclusion: Rumoured negative attitudes regarding female orthopaedic surgeons still exist among some orthopaedic surgeons, but not patients, influencing the undergraduate teaching experience and ultimate career choice in orthopaedic surgery.