Cultivating a "Feminine" Surgical Culture: Lessons from Indonesia

Area of Science:

• Medical Specialties
• Surgical Training
• Gender Studies in Medicine

Background:

• The United States faces a gender disparity in practicing surgeons, with men predominating.
• Indonesia demonstrates significant gender parity in plastic surgery, with women's numbers projected to increase.
• Enhancing female representation in plastic surgery is crucial for quality care, especially amid physician shortages and burnout.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate factors influencing gender parity in Indonesian plastic surgery.
• To compare perceptions of mentorship, career motivations, and work-life balance between male and female plastic surgery trainees and attendings in Indonesia.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 175 plastic surgeon trainees and attendings at the Indonesian Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons' 26th annual meeting in August 2023.
• Respondents provided input on perceptions of plastic surgery, mentorship, career motivations, and caregiving responsibilities using a 3-point Likert scale.
• Statistical analysis included chi-squared and Fisher exact tests to evaluate sex-based differences in responses.

Main Results:

• No significant sex-based differences were found in the perception or role of mentorship for plastic surgery careers.
• Both male and female respondents expressed positive outlooks on work-life balance, including adequate time for family and friends and flexible work schedules.

Conclusions:

• Indonesia's progress in gender parity within plastic surgery offers a potential model for global replication.
• Implementing supportive community-level interventions, such as family leave, childcare, and inclusive culture initiatives, can enhance female representation in plastic surgery worldwide.