Gender Bias Found in Regional Surgery Survey
Women surgeons were more often perceived as targets of workplace discrimination despite similar perceived clinical judgment and surgical skill.
By
Andrea Surnit
May 22, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Gender Bias Found in Regional Surgery Survey
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Key Mechanisms Implicit gender bias contributes to workplace discrimination. Target Population Care Setting
Key Highlights
64% of respondents observed discrimination against women surgeons. No statistically significant gender-based differences in clinical judgment or surgical skill. 47% of respondents perceived women surgeons as more thorough compared to 2% for men. 60% of respondents perceived women surgeons as better in task completion compared to 24% for men. Survey design limitations included reliance on subjective perceptions. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Assess perceptions of gender discrimination in surgical settings. Management
Address implicit bias to improve workplace equality. Monitoring & Follow-up
Evaluate the impact of gender bias on surgical performance and outcomes. Risks
Potential undermining of workforce expansion due to gender discrimination. Patient & Prescribing Data
Postoperative complications and mortality were lower among patients treated by women surgeons.
Clinical Best Practices
Implement validated implicit-bias assessment tools. Encourage equal participation of women in surgical training and practice. Related Resources & Content
