Sexual assault, crude banter — what it’s like to be a female surgeon

Mehdian-Staffell, 37, is part of a new generation of female surgeons who are challenging the male-dominated culture in the profession.

It is clear that she loves her job. “My aim is not just to be a surgeon – it is to be a damn good one. I didn’t go into it to be average,” she says. But she is also exhausted and demoralised. “The sexism comes from patients as well as other members of staff. People will assume you’re a nurse. I’ve previously worked in departments where the guys all went off to golf and men were prioritised for opportunities over women. Sometimes, as female surgeons, we feel as if we have to work twice as hard.”

She says many of her more recent male colleagues have been supportive, but there is a systemic problem. Even the surgical instruments are made for male hands. Traditionally, surgeons are known as “Mr” rather than “Dr”, but women often get called by their first name.

There have been darker moments. “I’ve been sexually harassed lots of times,” she says.

 In 2021 the Royal College commissioned the human rights lawyer Helena Kennedy to do a review of diversity and inclusion in surgery. “The evidence I had from women was that the culture was very male and the chat in and around the operating theatre for surgeons was often inappropriate. It’s really not a very conducive environment for women.” She made a raft of recommendations to improve the situation but says she is “disappointed” at how slowly they are being implemented.

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Source: The Times, 8 April 2023

Related reading on the hub:

• Calling out the sexist and misogynist culture within healthcare: a blog by Dr Chelcie Jewitt, co-founder of the Surviving in Scrubs campaign