Lack of female role models, exposure cited as contributors to lack of female orthopedic surgeons

ORLANDO, Fla. — Female orthopedic surgeons cited being attracted to the field, despite a lack of female role models and exposure in medical school, according to results presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting.

Perspective from Mary I. O’Connor, MD

“Because over half of medical school graduates are women, we need to work hard to make sure that our specialty has a sound footing in the future and continue to attract the best and brightest of medical school graduates — men and women — to our specialty,” Julie E. Adams, MD, said in her presentation. “Early exposure to musculoskeletal medicine or before and early exposure, and availability to role models and mentors is critical to the future of our specialty.”

Adams and colleagues sent a 21-question email survey to 556 members of the Ruth Jackson Orthopedic Society and asked about demographics, practice patterns, lifestyle choices, why these women chose orthopedics and why they thought other women did not.

“We discussed what perceptions are believed to deter women from pursuing orthopedics, what role early mentorship and early exposure to orthopedic surgery play, and what personal and professional choices women make so we can inform medical students who may be interested,” Adams said.

Of the 41.7% of women who responded, most cited choosing orthopedic surgery because they enjoyed manual tasks, professional satisfaction and intellectual stimulation. Adams noted a lower percentage of respondents reported role models or mentors and early exposure to orthopedic surgery as reasons for choosing orthopedic surgery.

“The perception of inability to have a good work/life balance or too much strength is required or lack of strong mentorship were all cited as reasons why more women do not choose orthopedic surgery by our respondents,” she said.

She added 75% of respondents were in a committed relationship and 52% reported having one or more children. – by Casey Tingle

Reference:

Rohde RS, et al. Paper #862. Presented at: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting; march 1-5, 2016; Orlando, Fla.

Disclosure: Adams receives IP royalties from and is a paid presenter or speaker for Arthrex Inc., and receives IP royalties from Biomet.

Perspective

Mary I. O’Connor, MD

I am often asked why increasing the number of women in orthopedics matters. The answer is there are a multitude of reasons. With 50% of medical students being female, we will not attract the “best and the brightest” if we are not a profession that welcomes women. Improving the diversity of our workforce will combat health care disparities that have a greater impact on women and non-Caucasian patients. It is incredulous to me that I still hear from new residents the same biases I heard decades ago when I was interviewing for residency, such as the need for physical strength and incompatibility with being a mother. Every one of us is responsible for dispelling these old, tired, ridiculous myths and encouraging students regardless of their gender, race or ethnicity to choose our profession.

Mary I. O’Connor, MD

Director, Center for Musculoskeletal Care at

Yale School of Medicine and Yale-New Have Hospital

Professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation,

Yale School of Medicine

New Haven, Conn.

Disclosures: O’Connor reports she is a consultant for Zimmer Biomet on health care disparities and is chair of the AAOS Diversity Advisory Board.