The potential of artificial intelligence as an equalizer of gender disparity in surgical training and education

Abstract

The aim of this work is to offer a panoramic view on how artificial intelligence (AI) can help to break down gender disparity in enrollment and training of women in surgery. Nowadays, many visible and concealed obstacles still exist for women who pursue a surgical career. Impediments due to gender disparity prevent women from choosing surgical specialties. Furthermore, female surgical trainees have to face many difficulties during their training, such as inequity during the residency selection process, sexual harassment, discrimination in pregnancy experience and parental leave, and work-life balance problems. AI has been successfully employed for several applications in surgery to improve patient management, implement the decision-making process, and support training. AI could represent an effective way to overcome barriers related to gender disparity and overcome the obstacles women face during surgical education and training. Virtual and augmented reality, remote mentoring, and simulators could help female surgeons deal with disparities during their training and could positively impact the choice of women when pursuing a surgical career.