A new study in the Journal of Pediatric Society of North America highlights how early exposure initiatives can inspire young women to pursue careers in orthopaedics.
The Women in ORTHopaedics (WORTH) program is a newly established orthopaedic curriculum that provides hands-on experience and mentorship opportunities for female high school students to increase their awareness of diverse career paths within the field, including nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, research, and biomedical engineering. Survey results from WORTH participants indicate that such initiatives influence post-secondary planning and career confidence.
Gender bias, workplace conflict, and harassment have been identified as major obstacles for women entering the field of orthopaedics, which has long been perceived as exclusive to men. Across Canadian institutions, only 11.9% of practicing orthopaedic surgeons are women, making orthopaedic surgery the specialty with the lowest representation of women. Hosted by the University of British Columbia and BC Children’s Hospital, WORTH aims to change this narrative by providing the future generation of women with early exposure to resources and mentors in orthopaedics.
On June 8, 2023, the first cohort of high school students attended the inaugural WORTH event. WORTH is open to all women-identifying, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming students from the Lower Mainland. Students from grades 10 through 12 attended and participated in hands-on activities and a Q&A panel discussion with female leaders in the field. Building on participant feedback from the first event, a second workshop was developed and held on October 28, 2023. WORTH has expanded its outreach to schools throughout British Columbia to showcase different career pathways within orthopaedics. Survey results from both events showed that participants left with a better understanding of career options and a greater interest in pursuing a career in orthopaedics.
Traditionally, orthopaedic surgery has been considered a specialty drawn to male athletes or men with a certain physique. Women in orthopaedics have been experiencing challenges attributed to their gender, such as unequal standards, workplace harassment, and a lack of female mentors.
WORTH seeks to empower women by breaking down these barriers through mentorship and hands-on exposure to the field. By introducing participants to the wide array of career paths within orthopaedics early in their education, WORTH is challenging outdated stereotypes. WORTH is also about building community among participants and connecting them to role models and others with similar aspirations—beyond professional development. Similar initiatives are beginning to change the orthopaedic perception baseline and working towards a more diverse and equitable future.
Read the full Journal of Pediatric Society of North America article:
Learn more
- Women in ORTHopaedics (WORTH) information and upcoming workshops
- WORTH Event Recap: Saw bones, sutures, casts, research, orthopaedic devices, and career options for women (June 2024 flagship event)
- WORTH Event Recap: Bridging Gaps and Building Bridges in Orthopaedic Diversity (October 2023 flagship event )
- Women in Orthopaedics Workshop: Paving the Way for a Diverse Future in Orthopaedics (June 2023 inaugural event)
