Orthopedics has the lowest percentage of women out of all surgical specialties, with 4.3 percent of board-certified orthopedic surgeons being female. However, the number of women in an orthopedic residency program has increased by five times in 30 years, up to 14 percent.
The gender gap used to be attributed to the physical strength needed to perform orthopedic surgery, but with modern advances, the discrepancy is more and more a result of the culture of orthopedics, according to the report. In a survey, women cited the lack of female surgical role models as a barrier.
Several organizations have begun focusing on providing support, networking and encouragement for females interested in orthopedic surgery, including The Perry Initiative and Nth Dimensions. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is also assisting the effort.
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