Perspective of Women in Neurosurgery: Quantitative Study Interpreting Journey of Professional Identity Formation in Female Doctors of Low Middle Income Country: Neurosurgery: Professional Identity in Female Doctors of Low Middle Income Country

Usman Ahmad Kamboh; Ammara Saleem; Gulrez Amin; Ayesha Noor; Hooria Kushef; Mahwish Manzoor; Malik Adeel Anwar

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v6i2.2800

Authors

Usman Ahmad Kamboh Department of Neurosurgery, Punjab Institute of Neurosciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Ammara Saleem Department of Medical Oncology, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Gulrez Amin Department of Biochemistry, University College of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Ayesha Noor Department of Neurosurgery, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Hooria Kushef Department of Medicine, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Mahwish Manzoor Department of Medical Oncology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
Malik Adeel Anwar Department of Oral Pathology, University College of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v6i2.2800

Keywords:

Neurosurgery, Career Choice, Gender Disparities, Socioeconomic Factors

Abstract

Globally, there is a shift towards choosing medical and allied specialities over neurosurgery. In Pakistan, where female medical students now outnumber males, this trend has led to a significant gap in the availability of qualified neurosurgeons. Objectives: To assess how the perception of neurosurgery evolves from final year medical school to house job among female doctors focusing on educational adequacy, socioeconomic factors and challenging career choices. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted through a validated questionnaire. This questionnaire encompassed demographic information, and a series of items designed to evaluate students' educational perceptions regarding neurosurgery, their socioeconomic viewpoints on neurosurgery, and their perspectives on neurosurgery training within Pakistan. Results: We received 216 responses from participants, with 115 (53.2%) being final-year students and 101 (46.8%) serving as house officers. 57.9% of participants disagreed to consider neurosurgery as a career option whereas 97.7% considered neurosurgical illnesses challenging and interesting. Neurosurgery involving long operating hours was the strongly agreed question among participants (97.2%). Final-year students were significantly more likely to perceive their neurosurgery education as inadequate (61.7%). Likewise, they reported greater concerns about limited job opportunities compared to house officers (20% vs 7.9%, p=0.012). Conclusions: It was concluded that although there is considerable interest in neurosurgery, enrollment among females remains low due to educational gaps, socioeconomic barriers and gender challenges. Limited teaching resources, the demanding nature of the field, and perceived negative impacts on personal life among female doctors contribute to this trend.

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