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Exploring gender-related disparities in mental health and parenthood among surgeons: A systematic review and
Gabriele Eckerdt Lech1, Ayla Gerk2, Sofia Wagemaker Viana3
1Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga 6681, Porto Alegre, RS, 90619-900, Brazil.
Background:
Gender disparities in surgery can impact personal and professional life. This meta-analysis aims to examine differences in well-being and parenting between genders in surgery in the Americas.
Methods:
Inclusion criteria were cross-sectional studies conducted in the Americas that compared mental health and parenthood outcomes between male and female surgeons.
Results:
We included 37 studies, comprising 42,434 participants (25,948 (61.15 %) males; 16,486 (38.85 %) females). Female surgeons had increased burnout rates (OR 1.32; p < 0.0001), depression (OR 1.31; p = 0.03), and exhaustion (OR 1.39; p < 0.0001). Female surgeons were less likely to have children (OR 0.39; p < 0.00001), with no differences across countries (p = 0.06), specialties (p = 0.93), or career levels (p = 0.22).
Conclusion:
Female surgeons experience higher rates of burnout, depression, and exhaustion, and are less likely to have children than male surgeons. These findings underscore persistent gender inequities in surgical practice and emphasize the need for broader representation from underrepresented countries in the region to better understand and address these disparities.
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