Thematic analysis of comments from a survey on perceptions of gender bias among members of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners in bovine practice in the United States

Abstract

The gender composition of food animal practice differs
from other veterinary practice types, and women are relatively
underrepresented in food animal practice. The reasons
are unknown, and a possible factor is gender bias. There are
no reports specific to bovine practice concerning the extent
or perception of gender bias. American Association of Bovine
Practitioners members in the US were invited to participate
in an anonymous online survey regarding gender bias in
bovine practice, and thematic analysis was performed on the
free text comments. There were 207 responses (99 women
and 108 men), which included over 1000 comment extracts
that were coded in the thematic analysis. The most common
themes associated with gender differences in survey comments
were practices not wanting to hire women because
of lack of strength or stamina, clients asking for the male
veterinarian, and pregnancy- or children-related issues. The
results of this thematic analysis support the assertion that
gender bias exists in bovine practice in the US.