There are several myths surrounding women and their decision to practice orthopedic surgery, according to a UPenn article.
Here are four things to know:
1. One of the myths is the idea that women aren't physically strong enough to practice orthopedic surgery.
2. Another myth is the idea that a career in orthopedics is too hectic to balance with family life. Kristy L. Weber, MD, chief of orthopedic oncology at the Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia, debunks this myth saying orthopedics offers a lot of flexibility and can be easily tailored to one's specific lifestyle.
3. In 1991, around 5 percent of orthopedic residents were female across the United States. Now, women constitute nearly 14.2 percent of orthopedic residents, but orthopedics is still one of the medical fields with the least female representation.
4. Studies have shown the opportunity for same-sex role models to be a critical factor in women's decisions about where to train and work, meaning if female medical students don't see women in a specialty, they are less likely to pursue the field themselves.