An Analysis of Differences in the Number of Children for Female and Male Plastic Surgeons

Abstract

Background: Historically, the structure of surgical programs discourages women interested in both surgery and motherhood from pursuing a surgical career, and women plastic surgeons have been more likely than men to have no children or to have fewer, later in life. Female plastic surgery trainees now constitute over one-third of residents, and pregnancy rates can be expected to rise, but with women now a majority in medical schools, the specialty’s maternity policies may be deterring interested women from entering the specialty. A survey study was conducted to measure reproductive outcomes and to identify current disparities between women and men plastic surgeons. Methods: An anonymous electronic survey was distributed to American Society of Plastic Surgeons members and candidates, allowing comparisons of men’s and women’s responses. Differences were tested by the Fisher’s exact and chi-square tests. Results: Compared with male respondents, women were more likely than men to have no biological children (45.1 percent versus 23.1 percent). They were nearly twice as likely to delay having children because of the demands of training (72.6 percent versus 39.2 percent) and to experience infertility (26.3 percent versus 12.5 percent). Among the childless plastic surgeons, women were 11 times more likely to say they did not want children compared with men (20.1 percent versus 1.8 percent). Conclusions: Poor institutional maternity support results in a persistent, wide gap in reproductive outcomes between female and male plastic surgeons. Establishing a universal, comprehensive parental support policy is essential to closing that gap.

Testing for Implicit Gender Bias among Plastic Surgeons

“…Historically, women have had to adapt to the training demands placed on them by delaying having children until they have finished training, potentially increasing the risk of infertility, fewer children, and not having children at all. 12 , 13 Moreover, women are the most likely caregiver to a family member or friend with a disability or chronic illness. 14 In plastic surgery, we must support women in their dual role as parents and plastic surgeons, without considering that they are less committed to their careers than men.…”

The experiences of female surgeons around the world: a scoping review

“…[ 132 ] High income United States Questionnaire n = 477 100% No funding 2019 Surgical trainees' experience of pregnancy, maternity and paternity leave: a cross-sectional study. [ 61 ] High income United Kingdom Questionnaire n = 876 (555/321) 63% No funding 2019 An Analysis of Differences in the Number of Children for Female and Male Plastic Surgeons [ 59 ] High income United States Questionnaire n = 757 309/448 41% No funding 2019 Policies and practice regarding pregnancy and maternity leave: An international survey. [ 19 ] Lower middle Upper middle High income United States United Kingdom Canada Nigeria Australia China Sweden Ireland Israel Finland Italy South Africa ° Questionnaire n = 1111 100% No funding 2018 Factors Associated With Residency and Career Dissatisfaction in Childbearing Surgical Residents.…”

Situación de las mujeres en la Cirugía Plástica en Uruguay

“…La Sociedad Americana de Cirugía Plástica cuenta únicamente con un 20% de mujeres cirujanas como afiliadas. (21) En nuestro estudio fueron 86 las encuestas completadas. Destacamos en el mismo la buena representación de la población de cirujanos plásticos del Uruguay con un 56% de cirujanos encuestados.…”

“…Algunas cirujanas, en vistas de lograr un equilibrio entre su trabajo y sus responsabilidades tradicionales familiares, realizan cambios en su ejercicio buscando subespecialidades con limitadas emergencias y guardias nocturnas. (19,21) En este sentido nuestra especialidad en Uruguay ofrece dichas características.…”