Work

Diversity in Surgery: Ethnic, Gender, and LGBTQ+ Representations Among United Kingdom Surgical Residents and Consultants

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • First national analysis of UK/ROI surgical trainee-trainer demographics via ISCP/JCST. • Trainees show higher overall diversity than consultants (Shannon diversity index 0.84 vs 0.72). • Women underrepresented in most specialties, parity only in paediatric surgery trainees. • LGBTQ+ representation higher in trainees, consultant trainer levels often below UK ONS Census data. • Recommends annual reporting, specialty-specific mentoring, inclusive recruitment. Diversity within the surgical workforce is not just a matter of equity, but a determinant of quality in patient care. Studies consistently show that diverse healthcare teams achieve better outcomes, higher patient satisfaction, and improved team functioning. By asking users of the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP) to complete a survey on demographic characteristics we have been able to report diversity amongst surgical trainees and consultant trainers in the UK and Republic of Ireland for the first time. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of anonymized data from the Joint Committee on Surgical Training (JCST) and ISCP compared trainee and consultant trainer demographics against 2021 UK ONS Census benchmarks. Descriptive statistics, χ² tests and Fisher’s exact tests (p < 0.05) were used. Responses of 7906 trainees and 7621 consultant trainers were analyzed. There was underrepresentation of people with white ethnicity relative to the general population. Trainees had a higher Shannon Diversity Index than consultants overall (0.84 vs 0.72), with differences seen between specialties. Ethnic overrepresentation of Asian and Other/Chinese groups were consistent across all groups. Women were underrepresented in the majority of specialties, as were those identifying as LGBTQ+ amongst consultants relative to the general population. Trainee diversity more closely mirrored census data than consultant trainers. Whilst diverse, surgeons have significantly different demographics compared to the general population. Women are underrepresented in the surgical workforce. Annual data reporting, targeted interventions, specialty-specific mentoring and inclusive recruitment, may support in bringing consultant demographics towards representation of the population they serve.

Source: Journal of surgical education

DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2025.103761

Authors: JK Seehra, R Ellis, B Doleman, E McLarty, JN Lund

Institutions: University of Nottingham, University of Aberdeen, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Language: English

Topic: Diversity and Career in Medicine

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,420