Cultivating a "Feminine" Surgical Culture: Lessons from Indonesia.

Abstract

Background: Although the number of female physicians in the United States has been increasing, most practicing surgeons in the United States are men. By contrast, Indonesia has achieved notable gender parity among surgeons, with the number of women practicing as plastic surgeons projected to soon surpass that of men. Achieving greater female representation in plastic surgery is important for delivering high-quality care, especially in the face of physician shortages and high burnout rates.

Methods: This survey study was conducted at the 26th annual scientific meeting of the Indonesian Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, in Manado, Indonesia, in August 2023. Respondents were asked about their perceptions of plastic surgery, mentorship, career motivations, and caregiving responsibilities. Responses were scored using a 3-point Likert scale of agreement with statements (disagree, neutral, or agree); χ 2 and Fisher exact tests were performed to assess differences in responses by sex.

Results: In this validated survey of 175 plastic surgeon trainees and attendings, there were no significant differences between sexes in the perception and roles of mentorship in preparing for a career in plastic surgery. Respondents from both sexes espoused optimistic views on work-life balance items, including time for family and friends and flexibility of work schedules.

Conclusions: Indonesia can serve as a model for encouraging greater gender parity in plastic surgery. Community-level interventions, such as family leave policies, childcare provisions, and initiatives to promote an inclusive culture, will create a more supportive workplace to increase women's representation in plastic surgery in the United States and around the world.