Turkish women orthopedic surgeons: bridging dreams and realities in practice

Abstract

BackgroundDespite growing gender parity among medical graduates globally, orthopedic surgery remains one of the most male-dominated specialties. Structural barriers, cultural perceptions, and limited mentorship opportunities contribute to the underrepresentation of women. In T & uuml;rkiye, comprehensive data on the experiences of female orthopedic surgeons have been lacking.ObjectiveThis study explored the professional, educational, and social experiences of female orthopedic surgeons and residents in T & uuml;rkiye through a nationwide e-survey, aiming to identify challenges, needs, and expectations.MethodsAn exploratory-descriptive, cross-sectional e-survey was conducted among members of the Women Orthopedists Working Group (Advocacy, Research, Empowerment, and Alliance Network for Women in Orthopedics-ARENA) under the Turkish Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology (TSOT). The survey included Likert-scale, multiple-choice, and open-ended questions covering demographics, career progression, work-life balance, mentorship, discrimination, and future goals. Thematic analysis was conducted following Braun and Clarke's six-phase framework to interpret qualitative data.ResultsOf 61 eligible participants, 59 responded (response rate: 96.7%). The findings revealed high professional commitment among respondents, with 88.2% selecting orthopedics as their first-choice specialty and 74.6% willing to recommend it to other women. However, 81.6% experienced gender-based bias, citing discrimination, exclusion, and limited credibility and the burden of representation. Only 7.0% respondents frequently presented at national congresses, with time constraints (40.4%) and lack of mentorship (23.1%) as key barriers to academic productivity. Work-life balance was a major concern, with reduced family time and high stress. Despite these challenges, many highlighted strengths such as resilience, meticulousness, empathy, and communication skills. Key future needs included mentorship (48.2%), leadership training (21.4%), and scholarships (19.6%).ConclusionFemale orthopedic surgeons in T & uuml;rkiye face significant gender-specific challenges, particularly related to bias, professional visibility, and work-life balance. Despite these obstacles, they demonstrate resilience and strong professional identity. The findings highlight the need for multilayered strategy integrating institutional reform, expanded mentorship networks, education, and cultural transformation to enhance gender equity and professional development in orthopedics.