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Gender Gap? A Survey among Plastic Surgeons in Germany
Shaghayegh Gorji1, Maximilian Kueckelhaus1, Britta Pehlke1
1Department of Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Hand Surgery, Fachklinik Hornheide, Muenster, Germany.
Gender disparities persist in German Plastic Surgery, impacting career progression and work-life balance for women. This study highlights significant differences in career development, family planning, and experiences of discrimination, calling for environmental changes to promote equality.
Area of Science:
- Medical Specialties
- Surgical Sciences
- Gender Studies in Medicine
Background:
- Increasing female representation in German Plastic Surgery (29.1% fellows, 46% residents).
- Documented professional obstacles faced by female doctors, particularly in plastic surgery.
- Need to investigate gender parity and discrimination perceptions within the specialty.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine gender parity among plastic surgeons in Germany.
- To evaluate perceptions of gender-specific discrimination from both male and female surgeons.
- To identify gender-based differences in career development and work-life balance.
Main Methods:
- Anonymous, cross-sectional questionnaire survey.
- Distributed to members of the German Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (DGPRÄC) and via social media.
- Data collected using Google Docs, covering education, career, family, and perceived equality.
Main Results:
- Majority of respondents (women 54.3%, men 49.1%) found work-life balance difficult.
- Family planning was significantly influenced by profession for 82.1% of women vs. 44.3% of men.
- Higher rates of sexual harassment reported by women (43.8%) compared to men (22.1%); men more likely to perceive no gender influence on career (33.6% vs. 4.9%).
Conclusions:
- Significant gender disparities exist in Plastic Surgery career development in Germany.
- Key areas of concern include family planning, practice establishment motivations, academic progression, and sexual harassment.
- Addressing these disparities requires active shaping of the work environment to improve career development opportunities for all genders.
