Subscribe to RSS
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1749434
Is There Gender (In)Equality in Pediatric Surgery? An Online Survey on Gender-Related Career Opportunities
Funding This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/ejps/202302/lookinside/thumbnails/10-1055-s-0042-1749434_226146oa-1.jpg)
Abstract
Introduction The highest percentage of female surgeons is found in pediatric surgery but most departments are led by men. The aim of this study is to evaluate gender-related career goals, perceived career opportunities, and reasons for differences.
Materials and Methods An online questionnaire was created and distributed to pediatric surgeons in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria between July and September 2020. Participants were asked to state current position, career goals, and perceived career opportunities in comparison to a colleague of the opposite gender. Reasons for gender-related differences were asked for as free-text comments.
Results A total of 182 questionnaires were analyzed. The overall gender ratio was balanced but junior positions were predominantly held by women, while there were more men in leading positions. Most women pursued a position as a consultant, while the majority of men aimed for a leading position. Men mostly regard both genders to have the same career opportunities, whereas most women believe the chances of men to be better. From the free-text answers, three following categories for gender-related differences in career chances were derived: (1) absences due to maternity, (2) differing support and bias arising from gender-related stereotypes, and (3) assumed personality traits.
Conclusion There are gender-related differences in career opportunities in pediatric surgery. Gender equality is needed not only to overcome injustice but also to maximize team efficiency and collaboration. Career support needs to be gender-independent and (unconscious) bias needs to be recognized and eradicated.
Availability of Data and Materials
The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study can be provided on request by the corresponding author. A copy of the survey can be found in the supplementary material.
Ethical Approval
Ethics approval by our committee was not applicable for a patterns-of-care study involving online questionnaires sent to pediatric surgeons.
Publication History
Received: 12 November 2021
Accepted: 17 March 2022
Article published online:
13 July 2022
© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.
Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany
-
References
- 1 Quinlan RM. Gender and the surgical workforce. Arch Surg 2007; 142 (04) 321-328
- 2 Hostettler S, Kraft E. Statistique médicale 2019 de la FMH: forte dépendance de l'étranger. Bulletin Méd Suisses 2020; 101: 450-455
- 3 Dingemann C. The Female Pediatric Surgeon. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2017; 27 (03) 228-233
- 4 Kaderli R, Guller U, Muff B, Stefenelli U, Businger A. Women in surgery: a survey in Switzerland. Arch Surg 2010; 145 (11) 1119-1121
- 5 Gibson DL, Barbara S. Women's and men's career referents: how gender composition and comparison level shape career expectations. Organ Sci 2010; 21: 1159-1175
- 6 Isabel Fernandez-Mateo SK. Gender and organization science: introduction to a virtual special issue. Organ Sci 2018; 29: 1229-1236
- 7 Johnson SK. What the science actually says about gender gaps in the workplace. Accessed April 5, 2022 at: https://hbr.org/2017/08/what-the-science-actually-says-about-gender-gaps-in-the-workplace
- 8 Housri N, Cheung MC, Koniaris LG, Zimmers TA. Scientific impact of women in academic surgery. J Surg Res 2008; 148 (01) 13-16
- 9 Jagsi R, Guancial EA, Worobey CC. et al. The “gender gap” in authorship of academic medical literature–a 35-year perspective. N Engl J Med 2006; 355 (03) 281-287
- 10 De Paola M, Ponzo M, Scoppa V. Gender differences in the propensity to apply for promotion: evidence from the Italian Scientific Qualification. Oxf Econ Pap 2017; 69: 986-1009
- 11 Exley CL, Kessler JB. The Gender gap in self-promotion. Accessed April 5, 2022 at: https://users.nber.org/~kesslerj/papers/ExleyKessler_SelfPromotion.pdf
- 12 Gallup IatILO. Towards a better future for women and work: voices of women and men. Accessed April 5, 2022 at: https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@dgreports/@dcomm/@publ/documents/publication/wcms_546256.pdf
- 13 Neuhaus S, Igras E, Fosh B, Benson S. Part-time general surgical training in South Australia: its success and future implications (or: pinnacles, pitfalls and lessons for the future). ANZ J Surg 2012; 82 (12) 890-894
- 14 Moss-Racusin CA, Dovidio JF, Brescoll VL, Graham MJ, Handelsman J. Science faculty's subtle gender biases favor male students. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109 (41) 16474-16479
- 15 Prime JL, Carter NM, Welbourne TM. Women “take care,” men “take charge”: managers' stereotypic perceptions of women and men leaders. Psychol Manag J 2009; 12: 25-49
- 16 Hyde JS. The gender similarities hypothesis. Am Psychol 2005; 60 (06) 581-592
- 17 Grantcharov TP, Bardram L, Funch-Jensen P, Rosenberg J. Impact of hand dominance, gender, and experience with computer games on performance in virtual reality laparoscopy. Surg Endosc 2003; 17 (07) 1082-1085
- 18 Salles A, Awad M, Goldin L. et al. Estimating implicit and explicit gender bias among health care professionals and surgeons. JAMA Netw Open 2019; 2 (07) e196545
- 19 Catalyst T. The double bind dilemma for women in leadership: damned if you do, doomed if you don't. Accessed April 5, 2022 at: https://women.govt.nz/inspiring-action-for-gender-balance/double-bind-dilemma-women-leadership-damned-if-you-do-doomed-if#:~:text=The%20report%20describes%20three%20%22double,but%20disliked%22%20dilemma%2C%20where%20women
- 20 Jones LK, Jennings BM, Higgins MK, de Waal FBM. Ethological observations of social behavior in the operating room. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115 (29) 7575-7580