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The Nonwhite Woman Surgeon: A Rare Species
Heather A Frohman1, Thu-Hoai C Nguyen2, Franka Co3
1Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky.
Background:
As of 2012, 39% of medical student graduates were nonwhite, yet very few nonwhite women graduates chose to become surgeons.
Methods:
To better understand issues regarding nonwhite women in surgery, an online survey was sent to surgeons across the United States. Results are based on self-reported data. Mean data are reported.
Results:
A total of 194 surgeons (42% women) completed the survey; only 12% of responders were nonwhite. Overall, 56% of nonwhite women felt they earned less than what men surgeons earn for equal work. Nonwhite women surgeons earned less than what men surgeons ($224,000 vs. 351,000, p < 0.00002) and white women surgeons ($285,000, p = 0.02) earned. Overall, 96% of nonwhite surgeons believed that racial discrimination currently exists among surgeons.
Conclusions:
The few nonwhite women surgeons in the United States recognize that they are paid significantly less than what other surgeons are paid. Inequitable remuneration and a discriminatory work environment encountered by nonwhite women surgeons must be addressed.