Colorectal surgeons: gender differences in perceptions of a career

The outlook of surgeons is changing. There has been recent interest in looking at job perception towards general surgery, which further has been divided into looking at gender differences.

A questionnaire with nine sections/63 questions was mailed to all 1799 ASCRS members (244 women) who were on the ASCRS mailing list from the USA. The returned questionnaires were analyzed.

A total of 498/1,799 (28%) were returned; 109/498 were female (22%), which represented 109/244 (45%) of the ASCRS female membership vs.389/1,655 (23%) of the ASCRS male membership. The mean age was 49 years (females 42 years, males 51 years, p < 0.001). Demographically significant findings were that more female colorectal surgeons (FCR) were single 12% vs. 2% (p < 0.001). Male colorectal surgeons (MCR) overall earned more than their female counterparts (p < 0.001) and 11% FCR's had a salary of >$350,000 vs. 33% MCR. More MCR found work atmosphere (p < 0.004) and casemix (p < 0.001) were satisfactory elements of their job. A majority of the colorectal surgeons polled, would not change their careers however more FCR (21%) than MCR (13%) would do so (p = 0.03). When queried specifically, FCR also indicated they affected the OR in a positive way (p < 0.001). FCR were more sensitive to their colleagues opinion of their capabilities (p < 0.001), MCR however felt that their colleagues had a high impression of their capabilities (p < 0.001). FCR agreed that women mentors were few because of lack of time (p < 0.001) and also felt their views were not considered when executive decisions were made (p < 0.001).

Interestingly, proportionally more younger, single FCR than MCR returned the questionnaires. The significance of this finding is uncertain. Acknowledgment of these differences will promote more understanding and job satisfaction in both academic and private practice.