Work-Life Integration of Female Urologists

Women make up less than 8% of practicing urologists, which is the lowest percentage in any specialty of medicine. In this study we characterize the work-life integration of the American female urologist.

All members of the Society of Women in Urology (SWIU) and female members of the American Urological Association were emailed an electronic survey in January 2015. This study evaluates demographic, clinical and personal information.

Of respondents in practice almost 70% work more than 50 hours per week. There was no association between age and part-time or full-time work (p=0.8175). The most common factors determining where practicing female urologists reside include job opportunities (33%), geographic location (26%), proximity to family (23%) and significant other's job opportunities (17%). Half of female urologists live more than 100 miles away from their nearest family member. The majority of respondents indicated that they are currently married, with marriage occurring before training for 35%, during training for 45% and after training for 20%. The majority of significant others (78%) work full-time. Just over half (51%) of female urologists have children, with more than half (51%) of these women delaying childbearing until after training. Virtually all female urologists (95%) rely on others for daytime childcare.

The majority of female urologists are married, in their first marriage, to a spouse who also works full-time, while practicing more than 60 hours per week. Female urologists are responsible for daily parental duties without family in close proximity for assistance.