The pregnant urologist

Occupational Radiation Exposure During Pregnancy: A Survey of Urologists on Perception, Experience, and Practice Patterns

Introduction: The field of urology is predominantly male; however, there has been an increasing number of women in the workforce. Peak reproductive years frequently overlap with residency training and early attending career timelines. Exposure to ionizing radiation is a common occupational hazard in many procedural specialties. The use of radiation, for example, in interventional cardiology and interventional radiology, has shown little adjustments in practice patterns, with no adverse outcomes reported among pregnant physicians in their fields in the setting of appropriate radiation safety measures. The impact of radiation exposure during pregnancy for urologists is largely unknown. Our objective was to determine attitudes and practices of urologists related to radiation exposure and to characterize the experience of urologists who have previously been pregnant. Methods: An anonymous online survey was distributed through relevant society membership bases, which included the Endourological Society and the Society for Women in Urology, and social media. Demographics, practice patterns, and changes to practice patterns were recorded for respondents. Statistical analysis was performed in R studio. Results: There were 384 respondents, 255 of whom identified as women. Of these, 164 had been previously pregnant. Female respondents were younger, completed training more recently, and were more likely to have adjusted their caseload due to radiation concerns compared with their male counterparts. Of women who had been pregnant, few had access to policies for who to notify (19%), policies for safety precautions (22%), custom-fitted lead (35%), and maternity lead (20%). Most women (66%) relied on their own research for guidance on radiation safety during pregnancy, while some (41%) also used information from colleagues or mentors. Forty-six percent of women would have taken greater precautions during pregnancy than they did. Conclusions: Access to the appropriate tools to safely navigate pregnancy is inconsistent among practicing urologists. Evidence-based guidelines are needed to better empower pregnant urologists.

Current status of female urologists in Korea

PURPOSE

The number of female urologists, including residents, has gradually increased and has recently exceeded 50. This study aimed to investigate the current status of female urologists in South Korea.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Total number of female and male urology specialists and residents, annual new Korean board-certified female and male urologists recent 5 years were obtained from the Korean Urological Association database. Data on working status, region, and subspecialty were collected via a telephone survey.

RESULTS

Fifty-four female urologists including 40 urology specialists and 14 urology residents participated in the study. Since the first female doctor received a urology board in 1999, zero to five female doctors have obtained urology board annually. Approximately 50% of female specialists and residents worked in metropolitan areas. The proportion of female urology physicians working in university hospitals was 52.5%. Three had only urology-oncology subspecialties, while the rest had non-oncologic or both subspecialties.

CONCLUSIONS

Female urologists are evenly distributed across the country, following the population distribution of Korea. Female urologists are employed in various fields. More female urologists chose non-oncology and double majors as subspecialties than they chose oncology. It is necessary to pay attention to female urologists, who form a minority within the Korean Urological Association, so that they can be continuously produced and actively engaged in various fields.

To Be a Pregnant Surgeon-Is There Anything to Be Afraid of?

BACKGROUND

Women who decide to become a surgeon are afraid of motherhood. The aim of this study was to establish the opinions of patients and doctors on the professional activity of pregnant surgeons (PS).

METHODS

The study was conducted on a group of respondents consisting of doctors and patients. The study was carried out using a questionnaire of 12 questions.

RESULTS

1074 doctors and 657 patients responded to the survey. Doctors, especially non-surgeons, significantly more often believed that PS should stop working in the operating theatre immediately after pregnancy confirmation. Most patients thought that operations performed by PS are normal, whereas the doctors more often considered it heroic or irresponsible. Doctors more often mentioned fear of financial stability and fear of losing their reputation as reasons for working by PS. Most respondents claimed that it made no difference whether they were operated on by PS or not. However, patients significantly more often declared their willingness to be operated on by PS.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed that female surgeons may have slight concerns about how they will be perceived by colleagues and patients. However, most respondents, patients significantly more often, believed that working during pregnancy is the natural course of things.