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Women attracted to orthopedics due to personal attributes, nature of the field
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Despite lack of role models and exposure to orthopedics, women currently practicing orthopedics were attracted to the field due to its nature and their personal attributes, according to a poster presented at the American Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting.
“Most of our responders chose orthopedics because the nature of the field and work attracted them, despite a lack of early exposure to the field and a lack of mentorship,” Rachel S. Rohde, MD, told Healio.com/Orthopedics. “Women continue to account for only 4% of AAOS [American Orthopaedic Association] members and 13% of orthopedic residents, and we propose that creating opportunities for early exposure to orthopedic surgery and for mentorship will help close this gender gap.”
Rohde and colleagues sent a 21-question survey formulated to determine demographics, practice patterns and lifestyle choices of women who chose orthopedic surgery as a specialty to 556 active, candidate and resident member of the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society. The researchers evaluated the respondents’ decisions about their career and their opinions of why more women do not choose orthopedics.
Rachel S. Rohde
Overall, the researchers received 235 responses — 19% from current trainees and 81% from practicing or retired members. Results showed personal attributes primarily influenced a majority of women orthopedic surgeons, whereas mentorship or exposure to musculoskeletal medicine during or prior to medical school were cited by relatively few. Rohde and colleagues found perceived inability to have a good work / life balance, perception that too much physical strength is required, and lack of strong mentorship in medical school or earlier were the most commonly cited potential dissuaders.
“In addition to the ‘positive influences’ and ‘dissuaders’ of women who might choose orthopedics, we saw practice patterns of respondents (for example, specialty choice and employment situation) emerged,” Rohde told Healio.com/Orthopedics. “We also noted the high percentage of women who report being in committed relationships or having children. This information can be used to inform young women who are considering their choice of specialty.” – by Casey Tingle
Reference:
Rohde RS, et al. Poster #66. Presented at: American Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting; June 24-27, 2015; Providence, R.I.
Disclosure: Rohde reports she is a board or committee member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society. She has received research support from the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society and Zimmer, as well as publishing royalties and financial or material support from SLACK Incorporated.