The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Annual Scientific Congress involved discussions around cases unconscious sexism in surgery, many which affect women.

According to Dr Katrina Hutchison, a researcher at Macquarie University, unconscious sexism is when the victim and/or perpetrator are unaware that particular behaviours are sexist or derogatory. She says that the behaviours come from stereotypes and social attitudes and beliefs that are ingrained into our culture. Dr Hutchison said, “Unconscious sexism therefore affects the way women live their lives, what part they play in society and the kinds of opportunities made available to them.”

“Women enter surgery in low numbers despite being more than half of medical graduates in Australia” said Dr Hutchinson. Sexual harassment, bullying, explicit sexism and women’s caregiving roles could partly explain this fact, but are not the full story.”

The RACS has responded to the claims of harassment and bullying from 2016, when they published a Progress Report on what they did in 2016 to address discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment (DBSH) in the practice of surgery in Australia and New Zealand. They have more than 20 projects underway.

During 2016, the RACS engaged with a broad range of organisations including hospitals, medical schools, health departments and other health jurisdictions to work together to create effective change. Within the year, the RACS reported that the connection between DBSH and patient safety became clearer and less contentious.

Also in 2016, the RACS launched an e-learning module developed for surgeons, by surgeons, to help surgeons identify DBSH and give them the knowledge and skills to deal with it effectively. Since the launching, the RACS reports that the training has received overwhelming support, and that it marks the start of a new, long-term effort supporting the RACS Action Plan.

More articles on My Health Career:

• Why I would like to congratulate surgeon Dr Gabrielle McMullin for her suggestion that female trainees give into sexual harassment in the workplace
• 49% of RACS fellows, trainees and international medical graduates experience discrimination, bullying or sexual harassment – so what now? Expert Advisory Group releases final report
• Ms Dhu coronial findings show importance of teaching doctors and nurses about unconscious bias
• Mindfulness for health professionals – by Dr Kathryn Choules (PhD) and Dr Samantha Clarke (PhD)

Photo credit: Fort Belvoir Community Hospital via Visualhunt.com / CC BY-NC