Gender Equity in Gynecologic Surgery: Lessons from History, Strengthening the Future

摘要

Purpose of Review Although women have made up the majority of the obstetrics and gynecology (ObGyn) for nearly a decade, inequities related to gender persist. The scope of these inequities includes disparities related to education and training, compensation, pregnancy and parenting, advancement and leadership, and the workplace environment. Recent Findings Although gynecology began as an early, innovative surgical field, over time the evolution of the field has followed a path distinct from that of other surgical fields. Gynecology was a unique surgical specialty that included longitudinal care but through multiple permutations has transformed into a combined specialty with obstetrics and primary care. This merger overlapped with the feminization of the specialty as well as improved non-surgical treatment for gynecologic pathology. The constellation of these factors, in conjunction with the historical separation of gynecology from other surgical fields, has resulted in de-prioritization of surgery within the specialty. Efforts to encourage high-volume gynecologic surgeons are needed to address quality gaps. Subspecialty surgical training has been an increasingly popular option for ObGyn trainees and is among the proposed solutions to ensuring that patients in need of surgery on the female reproductive tract receive high quality care.