From Rheumawire Newsletter August 2 2005
Allison Gandey

New York, NY - Despite great strides in female representation in rheumatology, few women are choosing to specialize in orthopedic surgery. Plagued by negative stereotypes and misconceptions, experts are taking steps to encourage more diversity in this fieldan area they say is fertile ground for learning and opportunity. "Orthopedic surgery seems to have somewhat of an image problem," Dr Thomas Sculco, surgeon-in-chief at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, told rheumawire. "It has been said that orthopedic surgery requires a strong back and weak mind. There is a general impression that jocks go into this specialty, and that's really unfortunate, because we are actually seeing some of the best studentsthe top 10% to 15% of their classapplying." Sculco says the pool of applicants has shifted in recent years as more and more students are exposed to orthopedic surgery, but he says women are still only making up approximately 7% of national applicantsup only marginally from 3% in the past.