Women in Orthopaedics: A Perspective from Malaysian Female Orthopaedic Surgeons
https://doi.org/10.5704/MOJ.2303.009
- Author:
Liew SK
1
;
Lee JA
1
;
Tamam F
2
;
Ismail II
1
;
Mohamed-Saaid F
1
;
Chye PC
3
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Putra Malaysia Teaching Hospital, Serdang, Malaysia
3. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
gender, orthopaedics, female surgeons, women, diversity and inclusion
- From:Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal
2023;17(No.1):70-78
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: The awareness of under-representation of
female surgeons in orthopaedics has been increasing in this
decade. We aim to investigate the reasons why female
surgeons chose orthopaedic, the barriers that possibly hinder
female surgeons into orthopaedics and analyse the obstacles
that they encountered in their career in Malaysian context.
Materials and methods: A total of 101 registered female
orthopaedic surgeons registered with the Malaysian Medical
Council, during the period 1980 to 2020, were contacted for
a cross-sectional survey, consisting of thirty-four questions
on their experience in the orthopaedic career. Eighty-two
responses were received (81.2%). Questions in this survey
consisted of four sections: (1) demographic details, (2)
current clinical practice environment, (3) orthopaedics
training experience, and (4) career experience.
Results: A total of 49% of respondents had subspeciality
training, highest in paediatric orthopaedic (30%). Enjoyment
of manual tasks (64.6%) and professional satisfaction
(64.6%) were the top reasons for choosing orthopaedic as a
career. Primary barriers to orthopaedic were physical
strength required (56.0%) and public gender bias (52.4%).
Twenty-eight percent reported gender discrimination in
career opportunities while 60% reported similar in daily
work. Thirty-three percent reported verbal and 11% physical
sexual harassment in their career. Forty-four percent of
respondents reported benefits as female orthopaedic surgeon
in their work.
Conclusion: The reasons for Malaysian female orthopaedic
surgeons to choose orthopaedic as their career and the
barriers perceived to hinder other females from choosing
orthopaedics were similar to reports worldwide with no
exception to gender discrimination and sexual harassment.
The support given by male colleagues to married female
surgeons marked a unique phenomenon in Malaysian
culture.
- Full text:16.2023my1296.pdf
