Gender Differences in Pediatric Orthopaedics: What Are the Implications for the Future Workforce?

Abstract

Background Although the number of women in surgical specialties has increased dramatically over the past two decades, little research exists regarding how a surgeon's gender impacts job selection and practice models. Because the number of women specializing in pediatric orthopaedics continues to increase, it is important to understand how one's gender affects practice choices and how this may affect the future workforce. Conclusions Although the numbers are small given the specialized nature of pediatric orthopaedic surgery, this study has uncovered some initial gender differences regarding practice characteristics and job opportunities among pediatric orthopaedic surgeons. As more men plan to reduce their workload or retire in the next 5 years, there may be further increases in the percentage of women surgeons in the workforce, so it is important that we begin to understand what effect, if any, gender has on practice patterns, job selection, and opportunities. Also, the finding that among the new graduates more women than men are choosing careers in academic practice over private practice suggests an extraordinary opportunity to develop more female leaders and role models at major pediatric orthopaedic centers.

The changing gender landscape of pediatric urology fellowship: results from a survey of fellows and recent graduates

“…However, women assigned greater importance to call schedule than men, and a higher proportion of women, although not statistically significant, reported wanting to practice part-time than men. Studies in other medical specialties report that more females practice part-time than males [1,2]. This difference can have a significant implication to a field as the workforce may have to train additional physicians to accommodate those who will not work full-time.…”

“…Another finding in pediatric orthopedic surgery was that women tended to seek more academic positions than men [2]. In addition, the AUA 2017 census reported that fewer women were in PP than men [9].…”

“…One study examining gender differences in pediatric subspecialties found that female subspecialists were more likely to be employed part-time and to cite lifestyle or family considerations as a top consideration in the initial job choice [1]. A study of gender differences in pediatric orthopedics found that women were more likely to be in academic practice and to report lower weekly surgical case volume [2]. Similarly, comparisons of gender differences in urology practice found that women were more likely to be employed in an academic setting and to work fewer hours than male counterparts [3].…”

Gendered Innovations in Orthopaedic Science: Show Me the Money

“…Perhaps patients perpetrate disparities, with decisions of surgeon choice rooted in social norms associating orthopaedic surgery with the male gender. For example, does the gender difference in surgical caseload reflect such patterns [1]? Regrettably, my takeaway after reviewing studies on discrepancies among academic physicians [7,8] is that systemic discrimination is real.…”

La vocación en Ortopedia y Traumatología.

“…Amoli 2 la ubica a esta como una actividad profesional denominada "workforce" por la cirugía musculoesquelética diferenciándola de partes blandas como la Cirugía Plástica.…”