It seems like many backstories that have high medical skill also have non-violent views.

I find that a high percentage of my games my main researcher / doctor won't equip a weapon which makes the scalpel less useful.

I like to equip my pawns with their tools of their trade. It's fun to me. Is there a way that the scalpel can be coded as if it's not a weapon? Currently my nurse won't equip anything so perhaps this is just a hard coded part of the game. Like if it's in your hand it's a weapon. Could holding the scalpel in their inventory give the boost to medical outcomes?

Just a suggestion / thought.