• Soham Bandyopadhyay, Jigishaa Moudgil-Joshi, Emma Jane Norton, Makinah Haq, Kate E A Saunders, and NANSIG Collaborative.
• Oxford University Global Surgery Group, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
• Br J Neurosurg. 2020 Nov 20: 1-16.

ObjectiveTo explore how social media could be utilised to influence an individual's motivation to pursue a neurosurgical career, an emerging topic area. The focus of this study was on women interested in neurosurgery.Summary Background DataWomen are significantly under-represented in neurosurgery. 18% of all neurosurgeons - including 8% of consultants - are women. Most previous studies have used quantitative methods that are not best suited to gaining an in-depth understanding of the barriers that women face in pursuing a career in neurosurgery, or what would enable more women to go into the speciality.MethodsIn this qualitative study, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted until data saturation was achieved. Participants were women pre-neurosurgical trainees. The interview data was examined through a thematic analysis involving open and axial coding.ResultsThirty women participated in the study. Four overarching themes were identified: (1) mentorship, (2) testimony from other women doing neurosurgery, (3) social media as a means of increasing interest in neurosurgery as a career choice, and (4) real-life exposure to the speciality.ConclusionThere is scope to further improve uptake of women into neurosurgical training in the UK. Motivations and barriers to women pursuing neurosurgery should be addressed openly through early experience, role models and mentorship. Social media can help facilitate these opportunities, disseminate information and inspiration, and has the potential to undo societal biases.

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