Frauen in der Chirurgie

The background of the present situation is related to an increasing lack of doctors as well as surgeons, an increasing number of female students and an increasing drop out rate of doctors for a clinical career after having finished medical school. The upcoming lack of surgeons urges to analyse the reasons why surgery is so unattractive for women. Several studies show that work load, the required working hours, overtime, schedule irregularities, insufficient leisure and family time are important reasons. Besides this, the surgical behaviour and communication style and an “old boys network” system are very unattractive to women. Furthermore, the limited future perspectives regarding a surgical career due to mainly male decision makers are reflected as barriers. A solution for these problems can only be expected if politicians and hospitals are willing to investigate in a support of family structures and surgeons not only reflect but also change their style of interactions.