Objective:

This study aimed to define the barriers that face female students and residents when persuing a surgical career.

Methods:

A blinded questionnaire was distributed to female medical students in clinical years, and female residents’ in Damascus hospitals between July and August 2017.

Results:

(93) resident doctors and (344) medical students participated in our survey. 27.3%(94/344) Of students plan to become surgeons. 47.1%(162/344) of students and 53.8%(50/93) of doctors indicated that the balance between social life and work is the main barrier 82.8%(77/93) of female doctors and 71.2%(245/344) of medical students said that the nature and circumstances of work such as long working hours were an important obstacle.

Conclusion:

A balance in working life, the nature and circumstances of work, including working hours and sexual discrimination in society are the most important obstacles facing female students and doctors as surgeons.