Differences in practice and personal profiles between male and female ophthalmologists

Abstract

Significant differences exist in practice profiles and personal circumstances between male and female ophthalmologists. Females appear to balance work and personal responsibilities by working fewer hours, and for lower income. Despite this, they are less likely to be in a stable relationship, or to have children. However, there is no difference between the two groups in overall career satisfaction.

Differences in practice of ophthalmology by gender in Australia

“…Jinapriya et al 9 found that while female ophthalmologists worked similar hours to male ophthalmologists, they contribute more to child-caring activities. In keeping with the study by Danesh-Meyer et al, 5 we also found that females earn less than their male counterparts even when accounting for number of hours worked. Weeks & Wallace [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] analysed surveys conducted between 1992 and 2001 by the American Medical Association comparing annual income of specialists by gender.…”

“…In concordance with findings of previous surveys in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, females were more likely to have a partner in full‐time employment, while males were more likely to have a partner not in the labour force. This may be an explanation for the higher proportion of males involved in rural or regional practice.…”

Differences in practice of ophthalmology by gender in Australia

“…Jinapriya et al 9 found that while female ophthalmologists worked similar hours to male ophthalmologists, they contribute more to child-caring activities. In keeping with the study by Danesh-Meyer et al, 5 we also found that females earn less than their male counterparts even when accounting for number of hours worked. Weeks & Wallace [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] analysed surveys conducted between 1992 and 2001 by the American Medical Association comparing annual income of specialists by gender.…”

“…In concordance with findings of previous surveys in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, females were more likely to have a partner in full‐time employment, while males were more likely to have a partner not in the labour force. This may be an explanation for the higher proportion of males involved in rural or regional practice.…”

Gender differences in Australasian ophthalmologists' experiences of the workplace

“…Men were more likely than women to have their first child before or during ophthalmology training (60% of men vs 32% of women, P < 0.001). These were very similar to the proportions reported in the 2005 study (60% for males vs 30% of females) . Women were more likely to have their first child after their fellowship training (59% vs 31%, P < 0.001).…”

“…In particular, female survey respondents tended to work fewer hours, spend less time in private practice and reported additional obstacles to career progression. The findings echo those of other studies of ophthalmologists, both in Australasia and further afield …”

Sex Disparities in Ophthalmology From Training Through Practice

“…Similar results were observed in 3 other studies including a 2017 (n = 282) survey . This 2017 and a 2005 survey (n = 254) reported females to be more frustrated by the limited time they could dedicate to their career (30 of 90 [33%] vs 23 of 192 [12%]; P < .001; mean score, 3.8 vs 3.5; P = .03, respectively) and felt conflicted between family and career (51 of 90 [57%] vs 50 of 192 [26%]; P < .001; mean score, 3.1 vs 2.7; P <.001) . In an early 2020 survey, female ophthalmologists had almost twice the odds of reporting burnout (odds ratio, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3-2.7; P <.001) and were more likely to report feeling high work-related stress (125 of 199 [62.8%] vs 168 of 342 [49.1%]; P = .002) …”

Differences in practice of ophthalmology by gender in Australia

“…Jinapriya et al 9 found that while female ophthalmologists worked similar hours to male ophthalmologists, they contribute more to child-caring activities. In keeping with the study by Danesh-Meyer et al, 5 we also found that females earn less than their male counterparts even when accounting for number of hours worked. Weeks & Wallace [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] analysed surveys conducted between 1992 and 2001 by the American Medical Association comparing annual income of specialists by gender.…”

“…In concordance with findings of previous surveys in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, females were more likely to have a partner in full‐time employment, while males were more likely to have a partner not in the labour force. This may be an explanation for the higher proportion of males involved in rural or regional practice.…”

Gender differences in Australasian ophthalmologists' experiences of the workplace

“…Men were more likely than women to have their first child before or during ophthalmology training (60% of men vs 32% of women, P < 0.001). These were very similar to the proportions reported in the 2005 study (60% for males vs 30% of females) . Women were more likely to have their first child after their fellowship training (59% vs 31%, P < 0.001).…”

“…In particular, female survey respondents tended to work fewer hours, spend less time in private practice and reported additional obstacles to career progression. The findings echo those of other studies of ophthalmologists, both in Australasia and further afield …”

Sex Disparities in Ophthalmology From Training Through Practice

“…Similar results were observed in 3 other studies including a 2017 (n = 282) survey . This 2017 and a 2005 survey (n = 254) reported females to be more frustrated by the limited time they could dedicate to their career (30 of 90 [33%] vs 23 of 192 [12%]; P < .001; mean score, 3.8 vs 3.5; P = .03, respectively) and felt conflicted between family and career (51 of 90 [57%] vs 50 of 192 [26%]; P < .001; mean score, 3.1 vs 2.7; P <.001) . In an early 2020 survey, female ophthalmologists had almost twice the odds of reporting burnout (odds ratio, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3-2.7; P <.001) and were more likely to report feeling high work-related stress (125 of 199 [62.8%] vs 168 of 342 [49.1%]; P = .002) …”

Differences in practice of ophthalmology by gender in Australia

“…Jinapriya et al 9 found that while female ophthalmologists worked similar hours to male ophthalmologists, they contribute more to child-caring activities. In keeping with the study by Danesh-Meyer et al, 5 we also found that females earn less than their male counterparts even when accounting for number of hours worked. Weeks & Wallace [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] analysed surveys conducted between 1992 and 2001 by the American Medical Association comparing annual income of specialists by gender.…”

“…In concordance with findings of previous surveys in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, females were more likely to have a partner in full‐time employment, while males were more likely to have a partner not in the labour force. This may be an explanation for the higher proportion of males involved in rural or regional practice.…”

Gender differences in Australasian ophthalmologists' experiences of the workplace

“…Men were more likely than women to have their first child before or during ophthalmology training (60% of men vs 32% of women, P < 0.001). These were very similar to the proportions reported in the 2005 study (60% for males vs 30% of females) . Women were more likely to have their first child after their fellowship training (59% vs 31%, P < 0.001).…”

“…In particular, female survey respondents tended to work fewer hours, spend less time in private practice and reported additional obstacles to career progression. The findings echo those of other studies of ophthalmologists, both in Australasia and further afield …”

Sex Disparities in Ophthalmology From Training Through Practice

“…Similar results were observed in 3 other studies including a 2017 (n = 282) survey . This 2017 and a 2005 survey (n = 254) reported females to be more frustrated by the limited time they could dedicate to their career (30 of 90 [33%] vs 23 of 192 [12%]; P < .001; mean score, 3.8 vs 3.5; P = .03, respectively) and felt conflicted between family and career (51 of 90 [57%] vs 50 of 192 [26%]; P < .001; mean score, 3.1 vs 2.7; P <.001) . In an early 2020 survey, female ophthalmologists had almost twice the odds of reporting burnout (odds ratio, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3-2.7; P <.001) and were more likely to report feeling high work-related stress (125 of 199 [62.8%] vs 168 of 342 [49.1%]; P = .002) …”