According to NHS figures for 2018, 1,138 women and 959 men were undertaking their first foundation year of medical training. However, only 14.5% of those at the top of their profession were women, with 1,389 female consultants to 8,164 male. A small survey of women working in surgery has attempted to examine why so few pursue a career in the field. However, the study was small and reached only a subset of surgeons, and there could also have been bias in who answered the survey. “This is exactly what women surgeons are saying and feeling,” she said, adding that structural changes, mentoring and tackling sexist behaviours are important.

Source: The Guardian January 08, 2019 06:22 UTC