Why Do They Not Want to Be Surgeons? Female Medical Students' Career Intentions in Australia

Examining how Australian medical students form career intentions is essential to supporting quality surgical healthcare provision and outcomes in Australia. Creating a diverse workforce through empowering under-represented groups, such as female surgeons, is therefore a critical consideration in workforce planning. This qualitative study investigates factors that shape students' views of surgical careers in Australia.

A total of 12 final-year medical students (11 cisgendered female, 1 cisgendered male) joined focus groups exploring factors influencing surgical career intention. Data were transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

A total of 4 themes and 10 subthemes were identified as contributing to students' perceptions: inclusion before surgery; varying learning opportunities; the pathway to surgery is challenging; and the decision to pursue a surgical career is readily influenced by outsiders.

Multiple factors influence students' perceptions of a surgical career. As respondents were predominantly cisgender female, the results are particularly relevant in efforts to support cis female surgeons. A broader framework that encompasses surgeon-trainee interactions, the broader hospital team and the wider community may enable future actions to support workforce diversity.