Factors Associated With Pregnancy and Perinatal Outcomes in Female Neurosurgeons: A Cross-Sectional Study

Women in Neurosurgery: Trends in the United States

OBJECTIVE

We sought to identify trends in the number of female neurosurgeons across each state and identify state characteristics that affect such values.

METHODS

The Physician Compare National Downloadable File was queried from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services for 2017 and 2023. Physicians indicating "neurosurgery" as their primary specialty were extracted and duplicates were removed. States were ranked based on the number of female neurosurgeons. The percent growth in the number of female neurosurgeons from 2017 to 2023 was calculated for each state. Univariable and multivariable regressions were used to identify the association between state characteristics and the number of female neurosurgeons.

RESULTS

The number of female neurosurgeons was higher in urban states while rural states saw a greater increase compared to five years ago. Univariable regression showed significant differences in the number of neurosurgery residency programs, neurosurgery hospitals ranked in U.S. News & World Report, paid parental leave law, number and percentage of female physicians, and diversity index score (P < 0.05). The diversity index score independently affected the number of female neurosurgeons (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

States with more training programs, female physicians, and paid parental leave policies saw a large number of female neurosurgeons. Diversity in the general population is also crucial to improving the equity in gender representation of neurosurgeons in each state. The increase in female neurosurgery representation in rural states shows that the shortage of neurosurgeons in underserved areas is creating a unique niche for female neurosurgeons to excel.

Will you choose neurosurgery as your career? An Indian female medical student perspective

OBJECTIVE

We aim at recognising the reasons that discourage female medical students to consider neurosurgery as a career, from an Indian perspective.

METHODOLOGY

An online survey was disseminated in various medical colleges of India. The study included female medical students (both cis and trans). The questionnaire consisted of objective questions on mentorship, opportunities and exposure. Their concerns on long working hours and the reasons for the same were recorded.

RESULTS

348 responses were included of which 79.9 % of students felt they didn't receive proper exposure to neurosurgery in their medical school. 87.4 % of the respondents faced a lack of opportunity and mentorship for research. 65.2 % of students felt that they would be more interested in neurosurgery if a female professor were to mentor them. Long working hours and Reduced Family and Personal time were identified as statistically significant factors (p < 0.001) that play a role in demotivating female medical students towards neurosurgery. Altered quality of life was the most frequent (79.49 %) and significant reason (p = 0.004) as to why long working hours were a concern for them. 65.07 % of participants did not consider physical strength to be a hurdle (p = 0.008). Approximately 37.6 % participants felt that maternity and neurosurgery could be incompatible (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

The study brings out the notions that female medical students have regarding the long working hours and decreased family and personal time, complicated by pregnancy and maternal leave in the life of female neurosurgeon.

Family planning and parity among pediatric surgeons — it is time to confront a serious problem (a survey among Brazilian female pediatric surgeons)

Background

Obstetric problems and infertility affect female surgeons. Family perspectives influence specialty choice and attrition rates. We aim to study parity, fertility, and family planning among female pediatric surgeons. A questionnaire was filled out by licensed BFPS to evaluate pregnancy/motherhood among Brazilian female pediatric surgeons (BFPS). The professionals were divided into two groups that were compared (< 40 and ≥ 40 years of age).

Results

Eighty-three < 40 and 91 ≥ 40-year-old BFPS were included, of which 2/3 were mothers. Most planned children after being hired as consultants. Almost a tenth (8.87%) reported marital conflicts secondary to the refusal to get pregnant. A fifth reported a high-risk pregnancy, and 12.73% had miscarriages. Half reported no adverse consequences of postponing pregnancy, but 6.9% stayed childless, 16.67% had fewer children than planned, and 10.92% needed infertility treatment. Professional problems related to pregnancy/motherhood were reported by 59.09%, and 86.36% of the women who were mothers had difficulties conciliating professional duties and motherhood.

Conclusion

BFPS parity was 1.38, lower than Brazilian women (mean 1.77 children/woman). Most BFPS start their families by late 30s or early 40s. Unfavorable consequences of postponing pregnancy affected a third of BFPS. Time off after pregnancy and protection during pregnancy remain problematic. A hostile environment and life-career conflicts may lead to the abandonment of the specialty.