Gender Bias in Surgery: Challenges Faced by Female Surgeons Revealed by Recent Study

Despite women constituting over half of medical students in Canada, only about one-third of practicing surgeons are female. A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at McGill University sheds light on how gender norms and biases embedded within surgical workplace culture hinder women's progress in this field. The research, which is the first ethnographic investigation of women in surgery in Canada, is based on 67 hours of operating room observations and in-depth interviews with female surgeons at a Canadian teaching hospital.

The study highlights how a masculine-oriented surgical environment perpetuates structural barriers for women, affecting everything from case allocation to instrument design. Participants reported being overlooked for complex surgical referrals, receiving less time in the operating room, and earning lower pay for similar procedures compared to their male counterparts. One surgeon even chose her specialty because the instruments used in another field were too large for her hands.

Dr. Jillian Schneidman, the lead author, emphasizes that these issues operate on multiple levels. Organizationally, women are not given equal opportunities for referrals or resources. Personally, they face the pressure to exhibit confidence without crossing into assertiveness that may be seen as un-feminine. Environmentally, surgical spaces and tools are primarily designed with men in mind; for example, a sign in an operating room listed the required head covering as a "men’s hat."

Schneidman argues that addressing gender bias isn't just about equity; it's crucial for patient care since diverse surgical teams have been linked to better health outcomes. She is now exploring how female surgeons navigate these structural barriers and internalize biases as part of her ongoing research.

This study underscores that tackling gender bias in surgery requires systemic change to foster an inclusive environment that benefits both surgeons and patients alike.