Representation in orthopaedics
- Jennifer Green
- 22 hours ago
- 2 min read
Surgery is built on trust. People trust that they will be seen, heard, and understood at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Representation plays a quiet but powerful role in making that trust possible. Only 6% of Australian orthopaedic surgeons are women, 1% are Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples and our cultural diversity unmeasured but visibly improving.
When people see themselves reflected in the surgical profession — across gender, culture, background, ability, and lived experience — it sends a clear message: you belong here too. Studies show that women, cultural minorities and LGBTQI+ members of the community have poorer outcomes and poorer access to orthopaedic care.
Representation shapes research questions, influences leadership decisions, and determines whose voices are amplified in education, policy, and innovation. Diverse teams don’t just look different — they think differently, challenge assumptions, and deliver better care. There is a known lack of inclusion of women as both senior academic researchers and as study participants in orthopaedics. Less than one-third of orthopaedic studies seek to identify gender differences through gender-specific analysis.
Representation benefits everyone. It strengthens empathy, broadens perspectives, and improves outcomes for patients and communities alike. It creates a profession that delivers excellent outcomes for the entire community, not just sections of it.
The path forward is through mentorship, sponsorship, inclusive cultures, and leaders who actively open doors rather than guard them.
When orthopaedics truly reflects the
communities it serves, we will attract the top talent, be more innovative and provide more equitable healthcare. A future worth building, together.
