Patterns of child-bearing behaviour amongst female hospital doctors and GPs

Understanding Gender Differences in Research Productivity of Canadian Otolaryngologists-A Comprehensive National Audit

Objective: To understand the factors contributing to gender disparities in the research productivity of Canadian academic otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons. Methods: Publicly available sources including departmental websites, SCOPUS, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada were accessed between February and April 2022 to analyze gender differences in the academic productivity of otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons across Canada. Gender differences in research productivity metrics, including h-index, i10-index, publication number, and number of first and senior authorships were assessed. Demographic data, including gender, institution, years in practice, and leadership roles were assessed for correlation with increased research productivity. Subgroup analyses were used to evaluate gender differences in productivity metrics, and univariable and multivariable regression analyses were used to evaluate predictors of research productivity. Results: Data were collected for 316 academic otolaryngologists (252 men, 64 women, P < .001). Men had significantly more years of publishing [mean (standard deviation, SD), 15.64 (9.45) vs 12.44 (8.28), P = .014], higher h-indices [12.22 (11.47) vs 7.33 (5.36), P < .001], i10-indices [22.61 (37.88) vs 8.17 (9.14), P > .001], publication numbers [46.63 (65.18) vs 19.59 (23.40), P < .001], and first [8.18 (9.95) vs 4.89 (6.18), P = .001] and senior authorships [12.98 (22.72) vs 3.83 (6.89), P < .001]. Gender differences were most pronounced in head and neck oncology, pediatrics, and the late career stage. Gender disparities in productivity were absent in the early career stage. Multivariate analysis identified only the number publications and number of senior author publications as being significantly influenced by gender. Conclusion: Canadian female otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons appear to have equivalent research productivity to their male counterparts in the early career stage. This mirrors the recent findings in the United States, and demonstrates progress compared to earlier studies that found women to have lower research productivity in the early career stage.

Análisis bibliométrico del balance vida/trabajo en mujeres médicas

Objetivo Realizar un análisis bibliométrico para conocer las tendencias de publicación en calidad de vida y balance vida/trabajo de mujeres médicas.

Métodos Se realizó un análisis bibliométrico retrospectivo de la literatura médica disponible desde 1996 hasta 2019 en la base de datos de MEDLINE, utilizando las herramientas estadísticas de FABUMED y PubReminer para la obtención de la información de las variables. Se utilizó el Journal Citation Reports 2017/2018 para el factor de impacto y el programa de software VOSviewer para el análisis de mapeo bibliométrico.

Resultados De un total de 204 referencias en 115 revistas, se presentó un crecimiento del 70,5% de las publicaciones los últimos años. El país, revista e institución con mayor número de manuscritos fue Estados Unidos (22.5%), Acad Med (4.9%) con factor de impacto de 4,9 years Harvard medical School, respectivamente. El autor con mayor número de artículos fue Nomura K con 6 publicaciones y un HI de 21. El mapeo y análisis de las evoluciones de las palabras clave con respecto a la línea de tiempo, se centró principalmente en: balance vida –trabajo, sexismo, liderazgo mentoría, mujeres cirujanas.

Conclusiones Las publicaciones sobre el tema balance vida/trabajo se han incrementado, permitiendo visualizar esta problemática y quizá lograr un impacto en el diseño de estrategias que permitan una mejor calidad de vida especialmente a las mujeres, quienes siguen teniendo una alta exigencia y responsabilidad en su vida familiar y a su vez, barreras profesionales e inequidad laboral.

The relationship between gender, parenthood and practice intentions among family medicine residents: cross-sectional analysis of national Canadian survey data

BACKGROUND

Family medicine (FM) residents choose among a range of options as they enter practice, including practice model, clinical domains, settings, and populations. The choices they make have implications for primary care workforce planning and may differ between FM residents who are parents and those who are not, as well as between male and female FM residents. We investigate whether parenthood shapes intentions among FM residents entering practice and whether the effect of parenthood differs between male and female FM residents.

METHODS

We conducted cross-sectional analysis of national survey data collected from FM residents in Canadian residency programs by the College of Family Physicians of Canada between 2014 and 2017. The survey captures information on intentions for comprehensive or focused practice, practice model, clinical domains, practice setting, and populations. We used chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression to investigate the relationships between parenthood, gender, and practice intentions, adjusting for other physician personal characteristics.

RESULTS

Almost a quarter of FM residents were parents or became parents during residency. Intentions for the provision comprehensive care were higher among parents, and intentions for clinically focused practice were lower. Differences in intentions for practice models, domains, and settings/population were primarily by gender, though in several cases the effects of parenthood differed between female and male FM residents. Even during residency, the effects of parenthood differ between male and female residents: while three quarters of male parents finish residency in two years, fewer than half of female parents do.

CONCLUSIONS

Both parenthood and gender independently shape practice intentions, but the effect of parenthood differs for male and female FM residents. Supporting FM residents who are parents may positively impact the quality and availability of primary care services, especially since parents are more likely to report intentions to provide  comprehensive care soon after entering practice.

The feminisation of Canadian medicine and its impact upon doctor productivity

OBJECTIVE

We examined the differences in work patterns between female and male doctors in Canada to gain insight into the effect of an increased number of female doctors on overall doctor productivity.

METHODS

Data on the practice profiles of female and male doctors across Canada were extracted from the 2007 National Physician Survey. A doctor productivity measure, 'work hours per week per population' (WHPWPP), was created, based on the number of weekly doctor hours spent providing direct patient care per 100,000 citizens. The predicted WHPWPP was calculated for a hypothetical time-point when the female and male doctor populations reach equilibrium. The differences in current and predicted WHPWPP were then analysed.

RESULTS

Female medical students currently (2007) outnumber male medical students (at 57.8% of the medical student population). The percentage of practising doctors who are women is highest in the fields of paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry and family practice. Female doctors work an average of 47.5 hours per week (giving 30.0 hours of direct patient care), compared with 53.8 hours worked by male doctors (35.0 hours of direct patient care) (P < 0.01, chi(2) test). Female doctors tend to work less on call hours per week and see fewer patients while on-call. Female doctors are also more likely to take parental leave or a leave of absence (P < 0.01, chi(2) test). The difference in current and predicted WHPWPP was found to be 2.6%, equivalent to 1853 fewer full-time female doctors or 1588 fewer full-time male doctors.

CONCLUSIONS

Gender appears to have a significant influence on the practice patterns of doctors in Canada. If the gender-specific work patterns described in the present study persist, an overall decrease in doctor productivity is to be anticipated.

Gender disparity in the practice of gastroenterology: the first 5 years of a career

BACKGROUND

Despite an unprecedented demand for gastroenterology services, the number of gastroenterology trainees has decreased over 50% since 1993. Women comprise nearly 50% of the U.S. medical school student population; yet only occupy 16% of gastroenterology fellowship positions. In order to recruit the best candidates to gastroenterology we must be able to demonstrate the attractiveness of a career in the field. A prospective study was performed to identify the career choices of graduates from gastroenterology fellowship programs using a prospective study model and to identify whether gender differences exist in the practice of gastroenterologists up to 5 yr after completion of training.

METHODS

A survey gathering information on demographics, practice pattern, and income was mailed to two cohorts of gastroenterology fellows 3 and 5 yr after graduation.

RESULTS

A total of 247 subjects completed the 3 yr and 220 subjects responded to the 5-yr survey. At 3 yr, men reported higher income (p < 0.001), worked longer hours per week (p < 0.002), and were more likely to be part owner of the practice (p= 0.027). Females reported fewer children (p < 0.007), lower board certification rates (p < 0. 002), worked for larger, multispecialty practices (p < 0.001), and practiced more internal medicine. These differences were still present at 5 yr into gastroenterology practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant differences in practice type, earnings, board certification, professional standing, and alterations in family planning are noted between male and female gastroenterologists in the initial 5 yr of their practice.