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Granek L, Muzyka L, Limoges N, Kelley-Quon L, Lane J, Ha J, Benzil DL, Durham S. Gender Differences in the Pediatric Neurosurgical Workforce: Professional Practice, Work-Life Balance, and Beyond. Neurosurgery 2024; 95:428-436. [PMID: 38483170 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000002895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Evidence suggests that female neurosurgeons experience unique challenges in the workplace including lack of academic advancement, challenges with work-life balance, harassment, and discrimination. How these factors influence the gender gap in neurosurgery remains unclear. This analysis investigated gender differences in pediatric neurosurgeons in professional and nonprofessional activities and responsibilities. METHODS A survey examining professional activities, work-life balance, family dynamics, career satisfaction, and workplace discrimination and harassment was administered to 495 pediatric neurosurgeons. Response rate was 49% (n = 241). RESULTS One-third of the pediatric neurosurgical workforce is female. There were no gender differences in race/ethnicity, American Board of Neurological Surgery/American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery certification rates, or pediatric neurosurgery fellowship completion. No gender differences were found in operative caseload, weekly hours worked, or working after 8 pm or weekends. Women took call more frequently than men ( P = .044). Men were more likely to work in academia ( P = .004) and have salary subsidization from external sources ( P = .026). Women were more likely to anticipate retirement by age 65 years ( P = .044), were less happy with call commitments ( P = .012), and worked more hours at home while off ( P = .050). Women more frequently reported witnessing and experiencing racial discrimination ( P = .008; P < .001), sexual harassment ( P = .002, P < .001), and feeling less safe at work ( P < .001). Men were more likely married ( P = .042) with 1 ( P = .004) or more children ( P = .034). Women reported significantly greater responsibility for child and domestic care ( P < .001). There were no gender differences in work-life balance, feeling supported at work, or having enough time to do things outside of work. CONCLUSION Despite little difference in workload and professional responsibilities, women held more domestic responsibilities and experienced and witnessed more racial and sexual discrimination in the workplace. Surprisingly, there were no reported differences in work-life balance or feeling supported at work between genders. These findings suggest that factors unique to female neurosurgeons may contribute to continued gender disparity in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leeat Granek
- Department of Psychology, School of Health Policy and Management, York University, Toronto , ON , Canada
| | - Logan Muzyka
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin , Texas , USA
| | - Natalie Limoges
- Department of Neurosurgery, Valley Children's Hospital, Madera , California , USA
| | - Lorraine Kelley-Quon
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles , California , USA
- Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles , California , USA
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles , California , USA
| | - Jessica Lane
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond , Virginia , USA
| | - Joseph Ha
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles , California , USA
| | - Deborah L Benzil
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland , Ohio , USA
| | - Susan Durham
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles , California , USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles , California , USA
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Fleming E, Neville P, Muirhead VE. Are there more women in the dentist workforce? Using an intersectionality lens to explore the feminization of the dentist workforce in the
UK
and
US. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2022; 51:365-372. [DOI: 10.1111/cdoe.12796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Fleming
- University of Maryland School of Dentistry Baltimore Maryland USA
| | - Patricia Neville
- Bristol Dental School, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Bristol Bristol UK
| | - Vanessa Elaine Muirhead
- Institute of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Queen Mary University of London London UK
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3
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Lewis R. The evolution of advanced nursing practice: Gender, identity, power and patriarchy. Nurs Inq 2022; 29:e12489. [PMID: 35279899 PMCID: PMC9787357 DOI: 10.1111/nin.12489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
To address longstanding workforce shortages, increase efficiency and control the costs associated with the modern health-care provision, there has been a worldwide policy to promote increased flexibility within the health-care workforce. This is being done primarily by extending the 'scope of practice' of existing occupational roles into what is referred to as 'advanced' practice. The development of the advanced practice nurse (APN) has occurred within the context of a shortage of medical staff, and the need to control cost. However, the means by which substantially repurposed occupational groups such as these, are incorporated into complex, hierarchical organisations such as the UK national health service (NHS) remains poorly understood. Using modern sociological theory, the development of the APN role has been examined in terms of power, control, professional identity and gender relations. Each of the theoretical approaches used adds to the quality of the discussion, although none provide a comprehensive picture. However, when synthesised, they do provide an enhanced insight into the evolution of the role. It is argued here that by critically examining the development of the APN role, this will enable both a better understanding of, and the means to influence, its future direction of travel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Lewis
- Applied Health and Social Care Research Centre, College of Health, Wellbeing and LifesciencesSheffield Hallam UniversitySheffieldUK
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4
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Abstract
The development of the health care system in Switzerland has recently been driven by different processes such as economic rationalization, bureaucratization, or digitalization, while maintaining professional notions of 'good cure and care.' Drawing on qualitative data from a Swiss acute hospital, we analyze how potentially market driven modes of governance manifest themselves in the everyday activities of nurses and physicians. We show how professional understandings of 'good cure and care' remain persistent and intermingle with logics that we call economic rationalities, manifesting in the four interrelated issues of financial pressure, bureaucratization, time pressure, and staff shortage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Thieme
- Department of Geography, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marina Richter
- School of Social Work, University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland Valais, Sierre, Switzerland
| | - Carole Ammann
- Amsterdam Institute of Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Lucerne, Luzern, Switzerland
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Shaw MK, Chandratilake M, Ho MJ, Rees CE, Monrouxe LV. Female victims and female perpetrators: medical students' narratives of gender dynamics and professionalism dilemmas. ADVANCES IN HEALTH SCIENCES EDUCATION : THEORY AND PRACTICE 2020; 25:299-319. [PMID: 31541318 DOI: 10.1007/s10459-019-09919-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Medicine is a gendered discipline, in which women, both as patients and practitioners, have often held subordinate positions. The reproduction of dominant gender biases in the medical setting can negatively impact the professional development of medical students and the wellbeing of patients. In this analysis of medical students' narratives of professionalism dilemmas, we explore students' experiences of gender bias in hospital settings. Seventy-one students participated in 12 group interviews, where they discussed witnessing or participating in various activities that they thought were professionalism lapses. Within the dataset, 21 narratives had a distinctly gendered component broadly pertaining to patient dignity and safety dilemmas, informed consent issues, and female student abuse. Interestingly, perpetrators of such acts were commonly female healthcare professionals and educators. Although students recognized such acts as professionalism lapses and often expressed concern for patient wellbeing, students did not intervene or report such acts due to hierarchical cultural contexts, and at times even reproduced the discriminatory behavior they were criticizing. This raises concerns about medical students' professionalism development and the extent to which gender bias is ingrained within particular medical systems. The normalization of disrespectful and abusive treatment of female patients poses immediate and future consequences to the wellbeing and safety of women. Furthermore, the same socio-cultural values that sustain these acts may account for perpetrators often being women themselves as they strive to overcome their subordinate position within medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malissa K Shaw
- Graduate Institute of Humanities in Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Ming-Jung Ho
- Department of Family Medicine and Center for Innovation and Leadership in Education, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Charlotte E Rees
- Monash Centre for Scholarship in Health Education (MCSHE), Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lynn V Monrouxe
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Work Integrated Learning, The University of Sydney, Room J213, Level 2, J Block, 75 East Street, Lidcombe, NSW, 2140, Australia.
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Komlenac N, Gustafsson Sendén M, Verdonk P, Hochleitner M, Siller H. Parenthood does not explain the gender difference in clinical position in academic medicine among Swedish, Dutch and Austrian physicians. ADVANCES IN HEALTH SCIENCES EDUCATION : THEORY AND PRACTICE 2019; 24:539-557. [PMID: 30840215 PMCID: PMC6647470 DOI: 10.1007/s10459-019-09882-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Studies have continuously shown that fewer women than men achieve leadership positions in academic medicine. In the current study we explored gender differences in clinical position among academic physicians at three university hospitals, each in a different European country. These countries, Sweden, the Netherlands and Austria, differ in terms of gender equality. We analyzed whether the number of children, working hours or publications could explain gender differences in physicians' clinical position. In this cross-sectional questionnaire study 1333 (54% female) physicians participated. Physicians were asked about their gender, age, number of children, working hours and clinical position. We used structural equation models to explore the influence of gender on the physicians' clinical position in each of the three countries. We explored whether the association between gender and clinical position could be explained by number of children, working hours or publication activity. The analyses revealed that at all three university hospitals gender influenced clinical position. These gender differences in clinical position could be partly explained by gender differences in publication activity. Female physicians as compared to male physicians were likely to publish fewer articles, and in turn these lower publication numbers were associated with lower clinical positions. The number of children or working hours did not explain gender differences in publication activity or clinical position. Therefore, factors other than unequal allocation of household labor, such as the academic working environment, may still disproportionately disadvantage women's progress, even at universities in countries with high rates of gender equality such as Sweden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikola Komlenac
- Gender Medicine Unit, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 66, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Marie Gustafsson Sendén
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Social Sciences, Södertörn University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Petra Verdonk
- APH research institute, Amsterdam UMC-VUmc, Boelelaan 1089a, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Margarethe Hochleitner
- Gender Medicine Unit, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 66, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Heidi Siller
- Gender Medicine Unit, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 66, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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Siller H, Komlenac N, Fink H, Perkhofer S, Hochleitner M. Promoting gender in medical and allied health professions education: Influence on students' gender awareness. Health Care Women Int 2017; 39:1056-1072. [PMID: 29095120 DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2017.1395881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we explored whether attendance at lectures on Gender Medicine, students' gender or university affiliation influenced students' gender awareness in medicine. We recruited 483 students (352 women/131 men) of medicine, allied health profession with focus on patient contact and allied health profession students with focus on laboratory work. Students with focus on laboratory work profited the most from Gender Medicine lectures as their gender sensitivity was positively associated with lecture attendance. Men profited more from Gender Medicine lectures than did women. We underline the importance of implementing Gender Medicine lectures in study programs of health care professions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Siller
- Gender Medicine Unit, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nikola Komlenac
- Gender Medicine Unit, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Heike Fink
- Occupational Therapy, Gender & Diversity Representative, Health University of Applied Sciences Tyrol, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Susanne Perkhofer
- Head of Research, Health University of Applied Sciences Tyrol, Innsbruck, Austria
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Neville P. An observational analysis of recent female dental enrolment figures in the Republic of Ireland. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR DENTAL EDUCATION IN EUROPE 2017; 21:235-239. [PMID: 27061158 DOI: 10.1111/eje.12206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE This research investigates the participation and completion rates of Irish female undergraduate dental students from 2003 to 2014. METHODS The Higher Education Authority database was accessed and dental students enrolment and completion figures were extracted, compiled and analysed according to gender distribution. RESULT From 2003 to 2014, there has been a steady increase in the number of female students enrolled in and completing Ireland's undergraduate dentistry programmes. CONCLUSIONS The findings reveal that a distinct process of feminisation has occurred in Ireland since the early 2000s. The feminisation of dentistry in Ireland will impact on workforce projections for the Irish dental service. However, more research needs to be undertaken to explore why female students are motivated to pursue a career in dentistry. Due regard also needs to be given to ensuring these women progress in their dental career. Dental education can play an important role here.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Neville
- School of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
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9
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Male and Female Emirati Medical Clerks’ Perceptions of the Impact of Gender and Mobility on Their Professional Careers. SOCIAL SCIENCES 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/socsci6030109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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10
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Villa-Torres L, Fleming PJ, Barrington C. Engaging men as promotores de salud: perceptions of community health workers among Latino men in North Carolina. J Community Health 2015; 40:167-74. [PMID: 24989349 PMCID: PMC4710487 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-014-9915-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The promotor de salud, or community health worker (CHW) role, is highly feminized and little is known about how men view their participation in CHW programs. We conducted in-depth interviews with Latino men in North Carolina to explore this gap. We used systematic coding and display procedures informed by Grounded Theory to analyze the data. Men described their communities as lacking cohesion, making integration of Latino immigrants difficult. Most did not consider themselves leaders or feel they had leaders in their communities. Their perceptions of the feminized CHW role as well as the volunteer or low-paid nature of CHW work conflicted with men's provider role. They also did not think they could perform the CHW role because they lacked education, skills, and broad networks. Efforts to increase male participation in CHW programs in new Latino immigrant destinations will need to understand and address these gender and migration-related dynamics in order to engage both women and men in improving the health of their communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Villa-Torres
- Department of Health Behavior, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive, 302 Rosenau Hall, CB #7440, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7440, USA,
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Sex differences among obstetrician-gynecologists: a review of survey studies. Obstet Gynecol Surv 2014; 68:235-53. [PMID: 23945840 DOI: 10.1097/ogx.0b013e318286f0aa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Whether practice differences exist between the sexes is a question of clinical and educational significance. The obstetrician-gynecologist (ob-gyn) workforce has been shifting to majority women. An examination of sex differences in ob-gyn practice contributes to the discussion about how the changing workforce may impact women's healthcare. We sought to review survey studies to assess whether there are specific topics in which differences in attitudes, opinions, and practice patterns between male and female ob-gyns are apparent. We conducted a systematic review to identify all survey studies of ob-gyns from the years 2002-2012. A total of 93 studies were reviewed to identify statements of sex differences and categorized by conceptual theme. Sex differences were identified in a number of areas. In general, women report more supportive attitudes toward abortion. A number of differences were identified with regard to workforce issues, such as women earning 23% less than their male counterparts as reported in 1 study and working an average of 4.1 fewer hours per week than men in another study. Men typically provide higher selfratings than women in a number of areas. Other noted findings include men tending toward more pharmaceutical therapies and women making more referrals for medical conditions. Although a number of areas of difference were identified, the impact of such differences is yet to be determined. Additional research may help to clarify the reasons for such differences and their potential impact on patients. TARGET AUDIENCE Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians Learning Objectives: After completing this CME activity, physicians should be better able to determine how the relevance of studying sex differences among physicians, specifically ob-gyns, can help improve patient care, assess whether there are topical areas in which male and female ob-gyns have reported different beliefs, practices, attitudes, and opinions, and examine how the limitations of survey studies and systematic reviews can affect the findings of these studies and reviews.
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