The Influence of Gender on Operative Autonomy in Surgical Training (GOAST) - Regional Pilot Study

Description

This presentation features Dr. Jennifer Cherry discussing a national pilot study on the impact of gender on surgical trainees’ operative autonomy, particularly in orthopedic training. Dr. Cherry begins by addressing the issue of gender inequality in surgical specialties, noting how it often deters potential female candidates from pursuing more male-dominated fields like orthopedics. She presents findings indicating that female surgical trainees experience differences in their training path, such as lower examination pass rates and increased likelihood of taking time out for maternity.



The study aimed to identify gender disparities in operative autonomy within orthopedic training, utilizing a retrospective cross-sectional approach. Despite a small participant pool, the results highlighted that male trainees had a higher average grade and were significantly more likely to lead surgeries as compared to their female counterparts. Dr. Cherry explores the implications of these findings, emphasizing that while training autonomy improves overall with grade level, the distribution remains unequal.



Throughout the Q&A, Dr. Cherry addresses further inquiries regarding the factors influencing these gender differences and the broader implications for surgical training in the UK. She acknowledges the limitations of her study, including its local focus and small sample size, but expresses hope for future national studies that may shed further light on these critical issues in surgical training.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-221407

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