Abstract
Background and purposeRole models in the medical field are professional and experienced persons whose actions unconsciously inspire juniors to strive to be like them. To our knowledge, no studies have examined whether having a female surgical role model has influenced women to pursue a surgical career in Saudi Arabia. Hence, we sought to evaluate whether identifying role models in surgery influences career choice and defined the ideal qualities of a surgical role model as perceived by newly qualified doctors.MethodsWe employed a cross-sectional, survey- based study design, conducted between June 2020 and January 2021, in which female surgical residents completed a questionnaire about their perceptions and influence of role models in general surgery specialty at the time they pursue a career in surgery.ResultsA total of 51 respondents completed the questionnaire. The majority of them (78.4%) had a role model and (19.6%) indicated that their role model was a female. Of those who had a role model, (67.5%) agreed that they experienced a positive influence on their surgical career choice. Clinical and operation skills were reported as the most remarkable factor to be considered in their role models. Working directly with a male surgical consultant and female surgical residents imprinted a positive influence but this did not reach a statistical significance.ConclusionThe findings of this article contribute empirically to the strong effects of the same-sex role models and highlight the curial role of surgical residents in influencing female’s career choices in general surgery as an achievable and attainable domain. Which encourage the creation of national mentorship programs and exploring more in barriers for pursuing a surgical career.
Highlights
IntroductionWomen represent an ever increasing proportion of students admitted to medical school [1]
Every year, women represent an ever increasing proportion of students admitted to medical school [1]
In a study conducted in Japan, female surgeons described the importance of having a role model to help them be more productive in their careers, they indicated that finding the ideal model was difficult [13]
Summary
Women represent an ever increasing proportion of students admitted to medical school [1]. An extensive amount of literature exists exploring factors that influence women when considering a surgical career, including enjoyment of surgical clerkship, future income and opportunities, academic interest, hands-on-work, prestige, and the impact of access to role models in gender-based schooling and occupational segregation [7,8,9]. Another study in Virginia revealed that 35% of female medical students were discouraged from pursuing a surgical career because of the lack of female role models [4]. The presence of a female role model is essential in inspiring women to pursue a surgical career by making it more “real and attainable” [8, 14]. No studies have examined whether having a female surgical role model has influenced women to pursue a surgical career in Saudi Arabia. We sought to evaluate whether identifying role models in surgery influences career choice and defined the ideal qualities of a surgical role model as perceived by newly qualified doctors
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