Passion Over Conformity: Supporting Female Medical Students in Following Their Specialty Dreams
By Charlotte Collin- 4th year medical student at the Hull York Medical School
Women in medicine have historically had a predisposition to choose specialties like Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, and General Practice, while male medical students have often opted for fields such as Surgery, Emergency Medicine, and Ophthalmology. (1) Why is this the case? Studies suggest that female medical students tend to prioritize factors like lower risk and a better work-life balance when deciding on specialty training, especially in the context of family planning. (2) In contrast, male medical students are more likely to consider factors such as prestige, income, and intellectual stimulation when making their decisions about specialties. (2,3) Research has also shown that female students are often dissuaded from pursuing certain specialties due to negative perceptions of male-dominated fields and the lack of female role models in clinical settings. (4)
One of the most significant milestones in UK healthcare was achieved on March 6th, 2025, when, for the first time in history, there are more registered female doctors than male doctors in the country. (1) This is a monumental achievement for women in medicine and serves as a reminder of how far the medical profession has come. However, it also raises an important question: how many female-identifying doctors have been discouraged from pursuing their dream careers due to gender discrimination, societal preconceptions, and cultural barriers? And, more importantly, how can we empower more women to follow their passions and dreams, regardless of specialty?
An American study published in 2021 specifically addressed this issue within the field of Surgery and outlined four main areas where improvements could be made to better support women: 1) Mentorship, 2) Specialty exposure, 3) Societal and cultural barriers, and 4) Understanding the nature of each specialty. (5) I propose that the Medical Women’s Federation (MWF) could implement realistic strategies over the coming years to address these areas, helping to support and empower female medical students to pursue their specialty dreams without fear of judgment or bias.
Mentorship
Mentorship programs are an exciting opportunity that the MWF can offer to female medical students and resident doctors. Research has shown that mentorship plays a crucial role in career decision-making, particularly in male-dominated fields like surgery. Eight studies referenced in the American 2021 study found that the presence of a positive mentorship or role model had a significant impact on women’s decisions to enter surgical specialties. (5) While mentorship can be beneficial in any specialty, I recommend prioritizing surgery, emergency medicine, and ophthalmology for these programs, as they currently have lower female representation.
Mentorship provides many valuable benefits to students, such as constructive feedback, research opportunities, career guidance, and the development of clinical skills. (6) The mentor also gains professional satisfaction, networking opportunities, and the chance to refine their teaching and leadership skills. The MWF could implement this mentorship program by creating regional teams with a lead representative for each specialty, ensuring that mentors are geographically accessible to students. This model could foster collaboration and enable in-person meetings or mentorship opportunities. Additionally, online mentorship programs would also provide flexibility and reach a broader group of students.
However, the lack of female role models in some specialties remains a significant limitation. To address this, the MWF should leverage the power of social media to reach out to female doctors in these fields and encourage them to get involved in mentorship programs. This could be done through platforms like Twitter or Instagram, where women in medicine can share their experiences and offer mentorship to younger generations.
Specialty Exposure
One challenge that many medical students face is the uneven exposure to specialties during medical school. The time spent on different placements can vary dramatically between schools, leaving some students with limited access to specialties like plastic surgery, cardiology, or neurosurgery. For example, as a fourth-year student, I have had little exposure to certain fields and, regrettably, have never encountered a female surgeon during my placements. Studies have shown that specialties like plastic surgery are often underrepresented in medical school curriculums, which could negatively affect students' career choices. (7)
One way the MWF could address this is by offering webinars or additional resources to fill these gaps. Another opportunity is to facilitate networking during medical electives by creating a network of female doctors who are willing to host students in these underserved specialties. The MWF could also provide bursaries for students to travel for electives, prioritizing specialties with low female representation.
Understanding the Nature of the Specialty
During medical school, students primarily learn about the scientific aspects of medicine; physiology, pathophysiology, and treatment protocols. However, little emphasis is placed on the realities of day-to-day life in each specialty or the specific training pathways required. Medical students often lack access to qualitative, personal insights from professionals who have navigated these paths themselves. This gap in understanding can contribute to misconceptions and hesitation regarding specialty choices.
The MWF could address this issue by creating an online portal for students and resident doctors. This portal could house resources such as videos of female clinicians discussing their career paths, the challenges they faced, and how they balanced their professional and personal lives. It could also feature webinars on topics such as maternal leave, mental health, and navigating a career while maintaining a family life. These resources would allow students to compare specialties on a more personal and level playing field, gaining insights from women who have succeeded in their chosen fields.
Societal and Cultural Barriers
Societal and cultural barriers continue to play a significant role in discouraging female medical students from entering male-dominated specialties. Historically, society has expected women to choose between their careers and having children, while men have been perceived as better suited for more competitive, physically demanding roles. (3) Although these outdated views are changing, there is still much work to be done.
The MWF could offer free training or webinars aimed at addressing microaggressions, sexism, and gender biases in the workplace. These sessions could help equip female doctors with the tools and confidence to navigate these challenges and advocate for themselves in male-dominated environments.
Furthermore, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for underrepresented groups is essential. The MWF could create specific support networks or private forums for students from similar cultural or religious backgrounds to share their experiences and offer advice. For example, a group for Muslim students who are fasting during Ramadan could help them feel supported during their placements. Additionally, offering the option to choose a mentor from a similar cultural or religious background would provide a sense of community and empowerment for these students.
References
(1) The General Medical Council. More female than male doctors for first time ever in the UK. 2025; Available at: https://www.gmc-uk.org/news/news-archive/more-female-than-male-doctors-for-first-time-ever-in-the-uk#:~:text=Published%206%20March%202025,men%20in%20the%20medical%20profession. [Accessed 12/03/2025]
(2) Lee CW. Gender difference and specialty preference in medical career choice. Korean J Med Educ. 2013;25(1):15-21. doi:10.3946/kjme.2013.25.1.15.
(3) Khan S. The impact of gendered experiences on female medical students' specialty choice: A systematic review. Am J Surg. 2023;225(1):33-39. doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2022.10.023.
(4) British Orthopaedic Association. Medical students’ perceptions of and experiences in trauma and orthopaedic surgery: A cross-sectional study. 2022. Available at: https://www.boa.ac.uk/resource/medical-students-perceptions-of-and-experiences-in-trauma-and-orthopaedic-surgery-a-cross-sectional-study.html [Accessed 12/03/2025]
(5) Trinh LN, O'Rorke E, Mulcahey MK. Factors Influencing Female Medical Students' Decision to Pursue Surgical Specialties: A Systematic Review. J Surg Educ. 2021;78(3):836-849. doi:10.1016/j.jsurg.2020.08.050.
(6) Obana KK, Obana WG. The Value of Medical Student Mentorship in Surgical Specialties. Hawaii J Health Soc Welf. 2023;82(7):169-174.
(7) Bhachoo H, Glossop SC, Mattey LR, et al. Undergraduate deficits in plastic surgery exposure and awareness of the specialty: a systematic review. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2025;107(1):12-17. doi:10.1308/rcsann.2023.0099.
