What does this research mean for the field?

Women surgeons are significantly underrepresented in almost every specialty in the private sector despite rising workloads. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate the factors contributing to the underrepresentation of women surgeons compared to men in the private sector.

March 3, 2026Open Access

Private boys’ club? Gender imbalance in the private sector

Key Points

To investigate the factors contributing to the underrepresentation of women surgeons compared to men in the private sector.
Analyzed trends in private sector surgeon demographics
Examined specialties with low female representation
Identified barriers to entry for women in surgery
Women surgeons are significantly fewer than men across nearly all specialties
Workloads in the private sector continue to rise without corresponding female representation
Barriers persist, impacting women's career advancement opportunities

Abstract

Private sector workloads are rising – so why do women surgeons remain significantly fewer than men in almost every specialty?

Private boys’ club? Gender imbalance in the private sector

Key Points

Abstract

Cite This Study