Perceptions of Gender Equity by Urologic Subspecialty

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Gender Studies
• Medical Education

Background:

• Despite increased female representation in urology, gender disparities persist in career advancement and compensation.
• Understanding perceptions of gender inequity is crucial for fostering a more equitable professional environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess urologists' perceptions of the professional climate for female urologists across various subspecialties.
• To compare views on gender inequity based on urologist demographics and practice characteristics.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous survey utilizing the validated Culture Conducive to Women's Academic Success (CCWAS) instrument was distributed to urology subspecialty list-serves.
• Statistical analysis included Wilcoxon Rank-Sum and Kruskal-Wallace tests, with subsequent multiple regression analysis.

Main Results:

• A total of 430 urologists responded (35.3% female).
• Significant differences in CCWAS scores were observed based on gender, parental status, and society affiliation.
• Male urologists reported a significantly more equitable perception of the practice culture towards women compared to female urologists (P < .0001).

Conclusions:

• This study reveals a notable gender-based discrepancy in the perception and experience of inequities within urology.
• Acknowledging these differing perceptions is a critical first step toward implementing targeted improvements and promoting gender equity in the field.