A recent qualitative study attempts to examine the reasons why women are choosing to leave surgical training, proportionally higher than men. Lead author, Gold Coast surgeon Dr Rhea Liang, says there are a myriad of reasons including bullying, sexual harassment, unavailability of leave, insufficient role models and lack of pathways for support. She says the stresses accumulate like a tower of blocks – a final action can trigger the collapse of the tower and lead to a Trainee choosing to leave.

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