Describing the women of orthopaedic surgery

Elizabeth C Gardner; Ryan Cheng; Jay Moran; Luanna C Summer; Camilla B Emsbo; Robin G Gallagher; Jiaxin Gong; Felicity G Fishman

doi:10.1302/2633-1462.55.BJO-2023-0073.R1

Describing the women of orthopaedic surgery

Bone Jt Open. 2024 May 20;5(5):419-425. doi: 10.1302/2633-1462.55.BJO-2023-0073.R1.

Authors

Elizabeth C Gardner¹, Ryan Cheng¹, Jay Moran¹, Luanna C Summer¹, Camilla B Emsbo¹, Robin G Gallagher¹, Jiaxin Gong¹, Felicity G Fishman²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
² Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.

PMID: 38767221
PMCID: PMC11103874
DOI: 10.1302/2633-1462.55.BJO-2023-0073.R1

Abstract

Aims: The purpose of this survey study was to examine the demographic and lifestyle factors of women currently in orthopaedic surgery.

Methods: An electronic survey was conducted of practising female orthopaedic surgeons based in the USA through both the Ruth Jackson Society and the online Facebook group "Women of Orthopaedics".

Results: The majority of surveyed female orthopaedic surgeons reported being married (76.4%; 285/373) and having children (67.6%; 252/373). In all, 66.5% (247/373) were collegiate athletes; 82.0% (306/373) reported having no female orthopaedic surgeon mentors in undergraduate and medical school. Their mean height is 65.8 inches and average weight is 147.3 lbs.

Conclusion: The majority of female orthopaedic surgeons did not have female mentorship during their training. Additionally, biometrically, their build is similar to that of the average American woman.