A discussion of contemporary platforms for women in surgery

Abstract

While the number of females entering medical training has been increasing in recent years, only 30% of surgeons in Canada are women. This discrepancy can be attributed to many aspects, and the lack of representation is a notable barrier that aspiring female surgeons face early in their medical careers. With the growing popularity of virtual platforms, many thread-based discussion websites have placed connecting with like-minded individuals at our fingertips. An accessible platform for women interested in surgery is a natural progression to help bridge the gender gap within the field, and yet it has not been created. While there are many pre-existing women in surgery organizations that promote a mentorship ideology, accessibility is limited by membership fees. A completely free, thread-based platform that connects both prospective and current women in surgery may serve to advance the field through the lens of diversity and collaboration.