Women in Orthopaedics – The Least Gender Diverse Surgical Specialty
This article by Kerslake et al (2024), sheds light on the many challenges women face in orthopedic surgery, a field where female representation is shockingly low, even though more women are graduating from medical schools than ever. So why is orthopedic surgery still such a boys’ club? Well, it turns out there are some deeply […]
Let’s talk about the gender pay gap
The gender pay gap isn’t about equal pay for equal work; it’s about the broader systemic factors that lead to men earning more than women on average. Industries historically dominated by women, such as teaching and caregiving, tend to have lower wages than male-dominated fields like construction. Career breaks for childcare and caregiving, as well […]
Impact of Surgeon Gender on Patient Recovery Times
In a recent study published in Annals of Surgery Open, researchers explored the impact of surgeon gender on patient recovery times, specifically focusing on “Days Alive and at Home” (DAH) after surgery. DAH is a measure used to assess patient recovery by tracking the time spent at home without needing hospital or medical facility care. This […]
How Does Gender Bias Affect Referrals to Female Surgeons
This study by Sarsons et al (2017), dives into the subtle but impactful ways gender bias plays out in the medical field, specifically focusing on how general practitioners (GPs) refer patients to surgeons after different surgical outcomes. The key question explored here is whether GPs interpret patient results differently based on the gender of the […]
Equity vs. Equality: What’s the Difference, and Why Does It Matter?
Imagine you’re at a concert, and everyone is given the same-sized stool to stand on for a better view. Sounds fair, right? That’s equality; everyone gets the same thing. But what if some people are taller while others are shorter? The shorter folks might still struggle to see, even with the stool. Equity, on the other […]
Do Female Surgeons Have Better Outcomes
Let’s talk about the recent study on gender-based outcomes in surgery, specifically cholecystectomies (gallbladder removal surgery). The study by Blohm et al (2023), published in JAMA Surgery, explores the performance differences between male and female surgeons in Sweden, and it’s full of interesting outcomes. What Did They Find? The study examined over 150,000 patients who underwent cholecystectomies, with 849 female and 1,704 male […]
Breaking Barriers: The Experiences of Female Surgeons Worldwide
Surgery is a demanding profession, often hailed as one of the pinnacles of medical practice. Yet, despite progress in gender equality across medicine, women remain significantly underrepresented in surgical specialties worldwide. A recent scoping review led by Meredith Xepoleas and her team dives deep into the experiences of female surgeons across the globe, uncovering challenges, […]
Are Female Surgeons More Cost-Effective? A New Study Says Yes
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery has highlighted some intriguing findings about how a surgeon’s sex might impact healthcare costs for patients. This study, conducted in Ontario, Canada, analysed over 1.1 million surgeries and found that patients treated by female surgeons tend to have lower healthcare costs than those treated by male surgeons. This cost difference […]
