Barriers to Pursuing a Career in Surgery: An Institutional Survey of Harvard Medical School Students

This study aimed to elucidate current medical student perceptions on barriers to a career in surgery, with a particular focus on gender-specific differences. Summary Background Data: Although gender parity in medical school composition has been reached, women continue to be underrepresented in the field of surgery. Methods: An anonymous, single-institution, internet-based survey conducted at Harvard Medical School. Results: Approximately 720 medical students were surveyed and 261 completed the questionnaire (36.3%; 58.6% women, 41% men, 0.4% transgender). Overall, there was no significant gender difference in intention to pursue surgery (27% of men, 22% of women; P = 0.38). Sixty-nine percent of all students and 75% of those pursuing surgery reported verbal discouragement from pursuing a surgical career. Women were significantly more likely to perceive that the verbal discouragement was based on gender (P
Source: Annals of Surgery - Category: Surgery Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research