How Knowledge of Ancient Egyptian Women Can Influence Today's Gender Role: Does History Matter in Gender Psychology?

A woman's place is in theatre: women's perceptions and experiences of working in surgery from the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland women in surgery working group

OBJECTIVE

Surgery remains an inherently male-dominated profession. The aim of this study was to survey women working within the discipline, to understand their current perceptions, providing insight into their practical day-to-day lives, supporting an action-oriented change.

DESIGN AND SETTING

The link to a confidential, online survey was distributed through the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI) social media platforms on Facebook and Twitter over a 2-week period in October 2017.

PARTICIPANTS

Women working in surgical specialties and actively responding to the link shared through the ASGBI social media platforms. No patients were involved in the study.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Data were analysed through a mixed-methods approach. The quantitative data were analysed through descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis was undertaken using a constant comparative analysis of the participants' comments, to identify salient patterns (themes).

RESULTS

A total of 81 female participants replied (42% response rate based on the Facebook group members), with 88% (n=71) perceiving surgery as a male-dominated field. Over half had experienced discrimination (59%, n=47), while 22% (n=18) perceived a 'glass ceiling' in surgical training. Orthopaedics was reported as the most sexist surgical specialty by 53% (n=43). Accounts of gendered language in the workplace were reported by 59% (n=47), with 32% (n=25) of surveys participants having used it. Overall, a lack of formal mentorship, inflexibility towards part-time careers, gender stereotypes and poor work-life balance were the main perceived barriers for women in surgical careers.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the implicit nature of the perceived discrimination that women report in their surgical careers. The ASGBI acknowledges these perceptual issues and relative implications as the first of many steps to create an action-oriented change by allowing all staff, regardless of gender, to reflect on their own behaviour, perceptions and the culture in which they work.

Women and Men in the History of Western Cardiology: Some Notes on Their Position as Patients, Role as Investigational Study Subjects, and Impact as Professionals

Nowadays, it is generally appreciated that studies in the medical field should not only include sex-related aspects but also consider age. In the past, taking the era of Hippocrates as a starting point for the Western medical sciences, such aspects were less urgent and barely relevant. However, considering such details during daily life became increasingly important as the traditional roles of men and women in society and household converged. In the Western world, this fundamental transition process started recently and is advancing at an accelerated pace. Research about the role of women has also evolved, starting from plain history about the lives of women to a description of the relation between men and women, resulting in the gender concept. The present survey highlights a historical selection of observations referring to the impact of men and women on the medical sciences, as patient, study object, and professional. Whenever relevant, focus will be on the field of cardiovascular investigations as documented in the Western world. Rather than being exhaustive, we focus on a few remarkable icons, including Trota of Salerno, Hildegard von Bingen, and Miguel Serveto.