Gender Discrimination as an Ophthalmic Surgeon; A survey of Medical personnel at Eye Department of Mayo Hospital

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To determine gender preferences of medical personnel when selecting ophthalmologists for routine check-up and ophthalmic surgeries and also to determine the factors responsible for this gender-discrimination while selecting a surgeon. Material and Methods: After getting ERB approval and taking informed consent from every participant, a cross-sectional study was conducted at Eye unit 3, Mayo Hospital, for a duration of 3 months using convenience sampling. 100 participants of either gender, of age 18 years or above, who are medical personnel working in Eye department of Mayo Hospital, including doctors and non- doctors’ staff were included in this study. Data was recorded on specially designed questionnaire and further analyzed on spss. Results: 100 participants were enrolled in this study, out of which 62% were male and 38% were female. Mean age recorded was 32±2.4 years. Majority of participants didn’t have any preference (50.2%) in total and among them the highest level of no preference was for regular checkups (66%) and for Emergency cases (55%). While for elective surgical procedures, majority have male preference for vitreoretinal cases (50%) and for complicated cases (48%). While female surgeons were preferred compared to males only in pediatric ophthalmology cases (33% versus 21%). Among the positive characteristics of a female surgeon, mostly agreed that females are more detail oriented, have patient centered communication style, more empathetic, and understand the psychological factors better and are well-qualified. Mostly agreed that male surgeons are more confident, have strong decision power, better in dealing with complex cases and intra-operative complications and also performing in emergency situation. Conclusion: In conclusion, almost half of participants didn’t show any preference and among remaining participants, male surgeons were preferred over female surgeons. Male surgeons were preferred for being more confident, fearless, more experienced, competent in dealing with complicated cases, more decisive, and having better professional skill.