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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