"There is a target on you": Female neurosurgeons' and cardiothoracic surgeons' experiences of overt and covert discrimination in the workplace

This study investigates the experiences of female neurosurgeons and cardiothoracic surgeons regarding gender-based discrimination in their workplaces. Through interviews with 22 women in these fields, the authors identify themes of overt mistreatment, professional misrecognition, and exclusion rooted in masculine norms, highlighting how these factors create barriers to career advancement and retention. The findings suggest that addressing gender inequities in surgical specialties requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond recruitment to include cultural and structural changes within institutions.