Commentary: Gender Equity Is Essential for Optimal Surgical Prioritization: A Response to Quinn and Brennand.

Abstract

Gender equity in surgical care remains an outstanding issue requiring coordinated, system-wide solutions. Persistent inequities are amplified by embedded systemic and structural biases, including full recognition of gynecology as equal surgical service, lower renumeration for gynecological procedures compared with equivalent urological procedures, the gender pay gap and the chronic deprioritization of gynecological conditions. The legacy of these historic inequities urgently needs to be addressed in contemporary practice, with enhanced accountability and transparency on surgical wait times, scheduling priorities and remuneration. Only with such reforms can we move toward full equity for patients and providers of gynecological care.