Abstract

OBSTACLES THAT MAKE SURGERY FAR FROM THE FEMALE DOCTORS' AMBITIONS IN DAMASCUS HOSPITALS AND UNIVERSITIES

Hisham Al-Hammami, Aliaa Bakr*, Ramah Al Sawah and Mhd. Nezar Al Sharif

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study aimed to define the barriers that face femalestudents and residents when persuing a surgical career. Methods: Ablinded questionnaire was distributed to female medical students inclinical years, and female residents’ in Damascus hospitals betweenJuly and August 2017. Results: (93) resident doctors and (344)medical students participated in our survey. 27.3%(94/344) Ofstudents plan to become surgeons. 47.1%(162/344) of students and53.8%(50/93) of doctors indicated that the balance between social lifeand work is the main barrier 82.8%(77/93) of female doctors and71.2%(245/344) of medical students said that the nature andcircumstances of work such as long working hours were an important obstacle. Conclusion:A balance in working life, the nature and circumstances of work, including working hoursand sexual discrimination in society are the most important obstacles facing female studentsand doctors as surgeons.

Keywords: This study aimed to balance in students and doctors as surgeons.