E-ISSN 2367-699X | ISSN 2367-7414
 

Original Research

Online Publishing Date:
30 / 12 / 2021

 


Changing perceptions and attitudes towards women in Surgery in a developing country

Ramya M Vishweshwara, Mallikarjuna Manangi, Santhosh C S.


Abstract
Aims: Surgery was always thought of as a field that requires competency stereotypically associated with the male gender, which resulted in the under-representation of women in the field. Our study aimed at exploring the perceptions about women in surgery and experiences regarding gender among Surgeons, Surgical Residents and Interns/Undergraduates (Students).
Methods: A survey designed using www.surveymonkey.com was circulated among participants through WhatsApp and Facebook in the month of September 2019.
Results: 505 responses with a 92% completion rate were obtained. 131 Consultants (M = 89, F = 42), 154 Residents (M = 85, F =47), 220 Students (M =122, F= 98) participated. 30% female consultants, 40% of female residents and 36% of female students opine about experiencing gender discrimination in the form of sexist comments, discouragement to pursue surgery, prejudice about women. A gross difference between reality versus students’ perceptions regarding surgeons’ work-life balance was observed.
Conclusion: Though gender stereotypes seem to be vanishing, yet its presence invites a need to bethink. More literature is needed to shed light on this aspect to avoid gender imbalances in surgery. It is pivotal that surgery continues to engage the most able candidates regardless of sex and hence abovementioned hindrances need to be addressed.

Key words: Gender discrimination, Women in Surgery in India, Perception about female surgeons/trainees, medical students' perceptions, literature on gender imbalances in Surgery


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Vishweshwara RM, Manangi M, S SC. Changing perceptions and attitudes towards women in Surgery in a developing country. Int J Surg Med. 2021; 7(6): 30-35. doi:10.5455/ijsm.Changing-perceptions-and-attitudes-towards-women-Surgery


Web Style

Vishweshwara RM, Manangi M, S SC. Changing perceptions and attitudes towards women in Surgery in a developing country. https://www.ejos.org/?mno=125995 [Access: February 22, 2024]. doi:10.5455/ijsm.Changing-perceptions-and-attitudes-towards-women-Surgery


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Vishweshwara RM, Manangi M, S SC. Changing perceptions and attitudes towards women in Surgery in a developing country. Int J Surg Med. 2021; 7(6): 30-35. doi:10.5455/ijsm.Changing-perceptions-and-attitudes-towards-women-Surgery



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Vishweshwara RM, Manangi M, S SC. Changing perceptions and attitudes towards women in Surgery in a developing country. Int J Surg Med. (2021), [cited February 22, 2024]; 7(6): 30-35. doi:10.5455/ijsm.Changing-perceptions-and-attitudes-towards-women-Surgery



Harvard Style

Vishweshwara, R. M., Manangi, . M. & S, . S. C. (2021) Changing perceptions and attitudes towards women in Surgery in a developing country. Int J Surg Med, 7 (6), 30-35. doi:10.5455/ijsm.Changing-perceptions-and-attitudes-towards-women-Surgery



Turabian Style

Vishweshwara, Ramya M, Mallikarjuna Manangi, and Santhosh C S. 2021. Changing perceptions and attitudes towards women in Surgery in a developing country. International Journal of Surgery and Medicine, 7 (6), 30-35. doi:10.5455/ijsm.Changing-perceptions-and-attitudes-towards-women-Surgery



Chicago Style

Vishweshwara, Ramya M, Mallikarjuna Manangi, and Santhosh C S. "Changing perceptions and attitudes towards women in Surgery in a developing country." International Journal of Surgery and Medicine 7 (2021), 30-35. doi:10.5455/ijsm.Changing-perceptions-and-attitudes-towards-women-Surgery



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Vishweshwara, Ramya M, Mallikarjuna Manangi, and Santhosh C S. "Changing perceptions and attitudes towards women in Surgery in a developing country." International Journal of Surgery and Medicine 7.6 (2021), 30-35. Print. doi:10.5455/ijsm.Changing-perceptions-and-attitudes-towards-women-Surgery



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Vishweshwara, R. M., Manangi, . M. & S, . S. C. (2021) Changing perceptions and attitudes towards women in Surgery in a developing country. International Journal of Surgery and Medicine, 7 (6), 30-35. doi:10.5455/ijsm.Changing-perceptions-and-attitudes-towards-women-Surgery