Parallels Between Improving the Culture for Women in Surgery and a Surgical Approach to Improving Health for All
Every person should be valued for their skills and potential, for every moment they are present. Training on Diversity and Unconscious bias is urgently needed. All staff must see themselves as role models, creating culture and reacting to another's name badge/role, with “fake it till you make it”. Those with poor behaviour may lack insight. Zero tolerance involves others taking a poorly-behaving peer for ‘a Vanderbilt cup of coffee'. Informal mentors should avoid gendered assumptions, e.g. all medical students need to scrub in. Leadership roles should have a clear application process. Inequality is not just a women's issue. Improvements must focus on the women themselves, the others around them, and the structures/processes. There are parallels with prevention in healthcare needing 3-pronged change: in individuals, society/culture, and organisations. More people being active can rapidly reduce the need for, and cost of, healthcare and social care by £Billions annually. The current paradigm of health is perhaps passive and paternalistic and a radical approach is needed.