Female Medical Students’ Perceptions of Orthopaedic Surgery

• Female-led exposure improved knowledge and reduced barriers. • “Boys’ club,” and perceived strength requirement concerns decreased. • Mentorship and female-only spaces were positively impactful. • Training duration and discrimination concerns persisted. • Early interventions may improve gender diversity within orthopaedic surgery. To evaluate the impact of an early, female-led orthopaedic workshop series on female medical students’ perceptions of the specialty. A mixed-methods study was conducted using paired pre- and post-workshop questionnaires and semi-structured focus groups. First- and second-year female medical students (2022–2025) participated in a two-session workshop led by female orthopaedic surgeons and trainees, consisting of a hands-on skills session and a seminar with discussion. Questionnaire data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and McNemar’s test for paired categorical variables (p<0.05). Qualitative data from free-text responses and five focus groups were thematically analyzed to consensus. Study was conducted at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. Medical student participants were enrolled at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry in London, Ontario, Canada. Forty students participated (mean age 24.4±2.8 years). Self-reported limited or no knowledge of orthopaedic surgery decreased significantly following the workshop (57.6% pre-workshop vs 15.0% post-workshop; p<0.001). Several perceived barriers decreased post-workshop, including viewing a “boys club” culture (70% to 50%; p=0.021), power tool use (25% to 12.5%; p=0.025), and physical strength requirements (60% to 27.5%; p=0.002). Expectation of gender discrimination also decreased (75% to 57.5%; p=0.035), while concern regarding training duration increased (32.5% to 52.3%; p=0.033). Qualitative analysis highlighted perceptions of a male-dominated culture and emphasized the value of female-only spaces and mentorship. Early, female-led exposure to orthopaedic surgery was associated with improved knowledge and reduced several perceived barriers among female medical students. Such interventions may support efforts to increase gender diversity in orthopaedic surgery.