Does gender affect experiences in the operating room for surgeons and anesthesiologists at a large academic center?

Background: Although the number of women medical trainees has increased in recent years, they remain a minority of the academic workforce. Gender-based implicit biases may lead to deleterious effects on surgical workforce retention and productivity.

Methods: All 440 attending surgeons and anesthesiologists employed at our institution were invited to complete a survey regarding perceptions of the perioperative work environment and resources. Odds ratios for dichotomous variables were calculated using logistic regressions, and for trichotomous variables, polytomous regressions.

Results: 243 participants (55.2%) provided complete survey responses. Relative to men, women faculty reported a greater need to prove themselves to staff; less respect and fewer resources and opportunities; more frequent assumptions about their capabilities; and a greater need to adjust their demeanor to connect with their team (p ​< ​0.05).

Conclusion: Perceived gender bias remains present in the perioperative environment. We need greater efforts to address barriers and create an equitable work environment.