Factors that Steer Women Away From Surgical Specialties
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 30, 2026

Single-Port Robotic-assisted Transaxillary Breast-conserving Surgery: A Prospective, Single-arm, Non-randomized Phase IIa Clinical Trial
Published on: August 19, 2025
Maria Gala Santini Araujo1, Courtney Grimsrud Miller2
1Orthopedic Surgery Service Hospital Italiano; Latin America and Caribbean Representative IODA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Abstract:
Although women now enter medical school in equal or greater numbers than men, they remain under-represented in most surgical specialties. Contributing factors include work-life balance concerns, lack of female mentors, stereotypes, implicit bias, and limited opportunities for advancement. Orthopedic surgery has the lowest female representation among medical specialties. However, targeted initiatives like mentorship programs, inclusive leadership, and pipeline efforts show promise in reducing the gender gap. Addressing these barriers is essential for equity in medicine and the future of a diverse, inclusive surgical workforce.
Related Concept Videos
Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...