Gender Differences in Compensation, Mentorship, and Work-Life Balance within Facial Plastic Surgery

Our objective was to identify gender differences in work-life balance, professional advancement, workload, salary, and career satisfaction among facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons.

Cross-Sectional Survey.

American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) members were invited by email to respond to a confidential 25-question online survey. The survey had a response rate of 12%. There were a total of 139 participants; 23 participants were in training and 116 were either board-eligible or board-certified facial plastic surgeons. Collected variables included general demographics, personal life, academic involvement, career development, workload, and career satisfaction.

Forty percent of participants were female. Fifty-nine percent of female participants were 25-35 years old compared with 15% of male participants. The majority of male participants were over 45 years old (63%) while only 19% of female participants fell into this age category (P < .0001). Women were more likely to be in a relationship with a physician (35% vs. 19%) or non-physician full-time professional (55% vs. 31%). The vast majority of men had children (89%) while only half of women (52%) had children. On average, women with children had fewer children than men (P < .0001). No gender difference was seen with respect to working full versus part-time (P = .81). Participants were equally satisfied with a surgical career regardless of gender.

Although significant progress has already been made towards closing the gender gap, gender disparities remain both professionally and personally for facial plastic surgeons. With an increasing number of women in medicine, we should continue to strive to close the gender gap.

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E787-E791, 2021.