A medical journal apologized and pulled an article that referred to surgeons using male pronouns throughout.
“This does not represent our views at Annals of Surgery and we sincerely apologize for this oversight in our production process,” the publication's editors said in a statement after readers pointed out the gaffe. “Unfortunately our own editorial review did not catch the singular use of male pronouns to refer to surgeons.”
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Dear @AnnalsofSurgery, would you care to comment on why this article refers to surgeons as 'he'? Certainly not 'modern' in my eyes https://t.co/owcyylUG7X
— Natalie Blencowe (@NatalieBlencowe) July 21, 2017
The article will be republished with gender inclusive language, the board said.
Yes @AnnalsofSurgery @WomenSurgeons @AmCollSurgeons important to include all Masters of the trade #ILookLikeASurgeon https://t.co/dAyDCf01Zq
— Lillian Erdahl MD (@lillianerdahl) July 24, 2017
#ILookLikeASurgeon This prompt action by @AnnalsofSurgery speaks louder than any words I could add.
— Heather Logghe, MD (@LoggheMD) July 23, 2017
All I have to say is, thank you. https://t.co/8TFDu5LqeB
It’s not the first time that women physicians have spoken out about bias—not by a long shot. Last fall, social media exploded after a flight attendant turned down the help of a young black female doctor--assuming she couldn’t be a real physician. That controversy birthed the hashtag #whatadoctorlookslike.
Nor does "surgeon" #ILookLikeASurgeon #WhatADoctorLooksLike https://t.co/mKT9WjXjW6
— Sajjid Hossain (@SajjidH) July 17, 2017
Last week, a new study that looked at who receives recognition awards from medical societies found zero or near-zero representation of women physicians.
Lead author Julie K. Silver, M.D., said the report isn’t really about the awards, it’s about opening doors for women physicians.
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The Annals of Surgery article, “Modern Surgeon: Still a Master of His Trade or Just an Operator of Medical Equipment?” was a published copy of the presidential address of the European Surgical Association delivered by Marek Krawczyk.
On a Retraction Watch blog, editor Keith D. Lillemoe pointed out the address was delivered in April by the past ESA president in Polish. The Polish pronoun “his,” he said, is not gender specific.