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Are Women Finally Joining Orthopedics in India? A Study of the Causes Limiting the Number of Women in Orthopedics in India with Steps for Furthering Progress

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Funding

We declare that no funding, direct or indirect for our study was received.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, India

    Dhriti Paul, Srijoni Ghoshdastidar & Spandan Halder

  2. Department of Surgery, IPGME&R and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, India

    Diptendra Kumar Sarkar

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  1. Dhriti Paul
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  3. Spandan Halder
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Correspondence to Dhriti Paul.

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Appendices

Appendix A

A Questionnaire on "Where are the Women in Orthopedic Surgery?- A Study In Medical Students of a Tertiary Care Hospital in India Assessing The Possible Causes for the Low Number of Female Orthopedic Surgeons”.

This study aims to assess the possible causes of low number of female Orthopedic surgeons in India and the perception of Orthopedics as a specialty by Undergraduate medical students.

You have been chosen as you are an Undergraduate medical student and your participation is not compulsory. If you choose to participate, you will have to fill out a questionnaire containing questions about your opinions on Orthopedics.

Your participation will contribute to research which may promote gender equality in the surgical field.

There are no disadvantages in taking part in this study. All your responses will be kept completely confidential.

All collected results will be further evaluated and analyzed.

We thank you for going through this consent form and highly appreciate your participation in this study.

*Required.

Do you give your consent to participate in this study? *- Yes No.


Demographic Data: This section collects demographic data about undergraduate medical students.

Gender *—Male FemaleOther.

Age in completed Years: (answer in numbers) *-

Current Year of Study: *—First Year Second Year Third Year Final Year Intern.

Are you thinking of taking Orthopedics as your specialty? *—Yes No.


Perception Of Orthopedics: This section assesses the Perception of Orthopedics as a specialty among undergraduate medical students.

General Perception: *

Orthopedics is a very competitive speciality. -Agree Neutral Disagree.

Orthopedic surgeons are the "jocks of the medical field". -Agree Neutral Disagree.

Orthopedics is an unsatisfying speciality -Agree Neutral Disagree.

Personal Attributes: *

Orthopedics requires high physical strength. -Agree Neutral Disagree.

Orthopedic surgeries are long and require high stamina. -Agree Neutral Disagree.

A very high IQ is required to specialise in Orthopedics. -Agree Neutral Disagree.

An interest in sports is required to enjoy Orthopedics. -Agree Neutral Disagree.

Experience/ Exposure: *

There is insufficient exposure to Orthopedics at an undergraduate level. -Agree Neutral Disagree.

There is a lack of female role models in this field. -Agree Neutral Disagree.

Work/Lifestyle Considerations: *

Orthopedics has a poor work-life balance.—Agree Neutral Disagree.

There is a lack of financial security in Orthopedics. -Agree Neutral Disagree.

There is a lack of autonomy in Orthopedics. -Agree Neutral Disagree.

There is a lack of companionship and cooperation in Orthopedics. -Agree Neutral Disagree.

Opportunities for Women in Orthopedics: *

Female Orthopedic Surgeons are less likely to be employed. -Agree Neutral Disagree.

Women are less likely to attain leadership positions in the Orthopedic field. -Agree Neutral Disagree.

Orthopedics is considered socially to be "more suited for men". -Agree Neutral Disagree.

Patients are less likely to visit female Orthopedists. -Agree Neutral Disagree.

Do you think that there are any other causes for the low prevalence of female orthopedic surgeons?

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Paul, D., Ghoshdastidar, S., Halder, S. et al. Are Women Finally Joining Orthopedics in India? A Study of the Causes Limiting the Number of Women in Orthopedics in India with Steps for Furthering Progress. JOIO 57, 586–595 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-023-00834-5

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