An evaluation of the professional problems experienced by female surgeons

Traditionally, throughout history, women have often been overlooked and not given enough importance in the male-dominated field of surgery. Sociologically, the concept of a "surgeon" is typically associated with a profile of a large, strong, confident, and skillful man. Surgical specialties, especially those dominated by a masculine culture, are generally considered to be "men's work," and female surgeons in these specialties can face significant professional challenges. The aim of this research is to deeply examine the professional issues experienced by female surgeons practicing in surgical fields seen as male-dominated professions. Additionally, the study seeks to understand the types of difficulties female surgeons encounter during their professional practice and how they are treated by their colleagues, operating room staff, patients, and society. The study also addresses how the challenges faced by female surgeons in their professional lives reflect on their family and private lives. Using a qualitative research method with an interpretative phenomenological design, the experiences of participants regarding the challenges they face in their professional lives were deeply analyzed through interviews. The participants of the study consisted of 17 female surgeons who had actively worked for at least five years in Isparta, Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya. The participants were selected using criterion sampling, one of the purposive sampling methods. The research identified eight main themes regarding the professional issues faced by female surgeons: perception and explanation of the profession of surgery, the process of deciding to become a surgeon, the meaning of being a female surgeon, career challenges faced by female surgeons, challenges experienced by female surgeons both in and out of their professional lives, advantages of being a female surgeon, and surgical experiences. The results of the study revealed that gender discrimination and biases are distinctly evident in the field of surgery. It was found that female surgeons face professional gender discrimination and various forms of discrimination based on sexist attitudes. Female surgeons striving to exist in surgical fields also contend with psychological or physical violence, threats, and harassment. Moreover, they experience issues such as insults, mockery, humiliation, and criticism within clinical hierarchical relationships. Additionally, in the male-dominated language of surgery, women are subjected to slang and vulgar language. Besides career problems, it is understood that female surgeons face significant issues regarding family-work life balance, including pregnancy, motherhood, breastfeeding, and childcare. It was also observed that the hierarchical structure of surgery increases the tendencies of female surgeons to become masculinized. It was concluded that female surgeons in hierarchical surgical steps consciously or unconsciously adapt by becoming masculinized.