Do women experience microaggressions in orthopaedic surgery? Current state and future directions from a survey of women orthopaedists

Julie Balch Samora · Jaime Rice Denning · Susan S. Haralabatos · Marilan Luong · Selina C. Poon

34 citations0/0 files storedCurrent Orthopaedic Practice

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Diversity and Career in Medicine Career Development and Diversity Sex and Gender in Healthcare

Abstract

Background: Microaggressions are verbal, nonverbal, or environmental slights or insults that convey hostile, derogatory, or otherwise negative messages. Repeated, long-term exposure to microaggressions can have damaging consequences. We sought to determine the prevalence of microaggressions in the field of orthopaedic surgery, as perceived among women. Methods: An anonymous 32-item survey was distributed to members of Women in Orthopaedics (N=1123), a private online group exclusive to female orthopaedic surgeons in practice or training. Demographic information was collected including information on orthopaedic subspecialty and location of residency, fellowship, and current practice. Respondents were asked a series of questions detailing instances of microagressions based on four categories: microinsults, microassaults, microinvalidations, and physical barriers. Respondents were asked to detail instances of microaggressions during each professional stage of their medical career. Results: A total of 264 (24%) surveys were collected. Among respondents, 74% had experienced some form of microaggression in their training, with 13% having been a perpetrator of a microaggression against someone else. Only 7.6% of respondents had not experienced a microaggression. Residents were more likely to experience microaggressions than fellows or attending surgeons. The most common perpetrators identified were patients and their families, male surgeons, and female support staff. There was no association between race, age, demographic region, or specialty and the likelihood of experiencing microaggressions. Conclusions: Microaggressions are commonly experienced by women in orthopaedics. The most common perpetrators of microaggressions are patients and their families, but other medical and support staff contribute to the environment. Awareness is crucial to address the issue. Level of Evidence: Level IV.

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References

2007Racial microaggressions in everyday life: Implications for clinical practice.2019Disarming racial microaggressions: Microintervention strategies for targets, White allies, and bystanders.2014Harassment and Discrimination in Medical Training 2014The Impact of Racial Microaggressions on Mental Health: Counseling Implications for Clients of Color 2011Sexual Orientation Microaggressions: “Death by a Thousand Cuts” for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth 2013Racial microaggressions and daily well-being among Asian Americans.2012The Racial Microaggressions Scale (RMAS): A new scale to measure experiences of racial microaggressions in people of color.2000Invisibility syndrome: A clinical model of the effects of racism on African-American males.

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