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Societal Preferences for Gender of Surgeons: A Cross-Sectional Study in the General Population of Pakistan

World Journal of Surgery volume 46, pages 757–766 (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Sociocultural norms and gender biases may result in surgeon gender preferences among the general public. This study aimed to understand preferences and perceptions related to surgeon gender among the general population in Pakistan, a lower-middle-income country.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted by the Aga Khan University, Karachi, among the adult general population in Pakistan. Sequential mixed-mode data collection was performed via online dissemination on social media platforms and in-person surveying at different geographic locations in Karachi.

Results

Among 1604 respondents, 50% did not report having surgeon gender preferences in general. Among respondents with gender preferences, there was a highly significant preference for gender concordance across all surgical subspecialties (p <0.001) except cardiothoracic surgery and neurosurgery. Exceptions where women preferred a male surgeon were neurosurgery (59.7% vs. 40.3%; p <0.001) and cardiothoracic surgery (53.1% vs. 46.9%; p <0.001). Moreover, respondents felt more comfortable communicating with (67.6%) and being examined by (73.3%) gender concordant surgeons. Men more commonly perceived male surgeons as more competent (26% vs. 14.5%; p <0.001) and warmer (18.3% vs. 9.8%; p <0.001) than female surgeons. Nevertheless, the most important factors influencing selection of a surgeon were the surgeon’s reputation (69.6%) and experience (50.5%). Most respondents (84.5%) believed that more females should practice surgery.

Conclusion

While around half of respondents do not have gender preferences, a significant proportion prefers a gender concordant surgeon across subspecialties. In a society where conservative sociocultural norms play a significant role when seeking health care, this makes yet another compelling argument for gender parity in surgery.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the Research and Development Wing of the Society for Promoting Innovation in Education at the Aga Khan University for providing valuable research mentorship to author Syeda Maryam Zehra Zaidi.

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Author notes

  1. Russell Seth Martins and Mishal Gillani have contributed equally to this paper.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan

    Russell Seth Martins & Mishal Gillani

  2. Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, 74200, Pakistan

    Samreen Jawaid

  3. Cedar College, Karachi, 75600, Pakistan

    Syeda Maryam Zehra Zaidi

  4. Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan

    Mahim Akmal Malik

  5. Congenital Cardiothoracic Surgery, Section of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan

    Mahim Akmal Malik

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  1. Russell Seth Martins
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  2. Mishal Gillani
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  4. Syeda Maryam Zehra Zaidi
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  5. Mahim Akmal Malik
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Correspondence to Mahim Akmal Malik.

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Ethical approval

This study was conducted in accordance with all ethical principles outlined in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its future amendments. The institutional review board at the Aga Khan University reviewed and approved the protocol of this study.

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Informed consent was obtained from all respondents.

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Martins, R.S., Gillani, M., Jawaid, S. et al. Societal Preferences for Gender of Surgeons: A Cross-Sectional Study in the General Population of Pakistan. World J Surg 46, 757–766 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-021-06418-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-021-06418-4