Gender differences among shoulder arthroplasty surgeons: past, present, and future

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Gender Studies in Medicine
• Healthcare Workforce Analysis

Background:

• Optimizing patient care in shoulder arthroplasty may involve addressing gender disparities among surgeons.
• Understanding the current gender distribution and practice patterns of shoulder arthroplasty surgeons is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the current gender distribution of shoulder arthroplasty surgeons.
• To analyze the relationship between surgeon gender and practice patterns.
• To assess trends in gender distribution over time.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data (2012-2020) to identify surgeons performing shoulder arthroplasty.
• Linked data with Medicare Physician Compare and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) directory for comprehensive provider information.
• Analyzed surgeon demographics, practice characteristics, and academic affiliations.

Main Results:

• The number of surgeons performing shoulder arthroplasty increased, with a slight rise in female representation (1.6% in 2012 to 2.9% in 2019).
• Female surgeons graduated more recently, were less likely to perform total knee or hip arthroplasty, and were more often in academic settings.
• While a small percentage of ASES members are female, this proportion is increasing.

Conclusions:

• The proportion of women in high-volume shoulder replacement surgery remains low, with minimal recent improvement.
• Younger female surgeons are entering the field, often in academic roles, suggesting potential future shifts.
• Continued efforts in orthopedic recruitment and mentorship for women are vital for achieving gender equity in shoulder arthroplasty.