Page 33 - Read Online

Capelli et al. Art Int Surg 2023;3:80-9 https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/ais.2022.40 Page 86

CONCLUSION
The increasing number of female surgeons and the fight for equity in surgical workplaces highlight the need
to close the gender gap, address the enduring, career-long difficulties women encounter in work-life balance
and unravel the many biases at their root.

The increasing awareness of these issues over the years has led to an increase in publications unveiling data,
characteristics, and causes of gender disparity, together with possible solutions. Childcare programs, flexible
working hours, maternity and paternity leave, mentorship and sponsorship programs, and a supportive
work environment are just a few of the proposed solutions to the major obstacles women surgeons face
when pursuing work-life balance. Even more importantly, old and deeply rooted ideas concerning gender
roles should be gradually overcome to pursue gender equality in all fields of medicine and society. Digital
technology and telementoring can help in building a more diverse and inclusive environment, minimizing
explicit and implicit bias and offering solutions to practical challenges.

A healthy, thriving, organized, supportive, and culturally transformed work environment could benefit
surgeon and staff productivity and ultimately improve patient care.

DECLARATIONS
Authors’ contributions
Made substantial contributions to the conception and design of the study and performed data analysis and
interpretation: Capelli G, Glavas D
Performed data acquisition, as well as provided administrative, technical, and material support: Ferrari L,
Verdi D
Conducted several reviews of the manuscript improving forms and content and is responsible for the multi-
institutional team: Splverato G

Availability of data and materials
Not applicable.

Financial support and sponsorship
None.

Conflicts of interest
All authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval and consent to participate
Not applicable.

Consent for publication
Not applicable.

Copyright
© The Author(s) 2023.

REFERENCES
1. Burrow GN, Burgess NL. The evolution of women as physicians and surgeons. Ann Thorac Surg 2001;71:S27-9. DOI PubMed
2. Brown MA, Erdman MK, Munger AM, Miller AN. Despite growing number of women surgeons, authorship gender disparity in
orthopaedic literature persists over 30 years. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2020;478:1542-52. DOI PubMed PMC