Gender distribution and women leadership in German Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

Abstract

Objective To determine the distribution of female physicians throughout the rank from resident to leadership positions in German Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) departments. Methods This cross‐sectional study collected data about the physician workforce in the German OHNS. The primary outcome was the proportion of female physicians. Data were collected from 165 departments from January 2022 to February 2022. The physician workforce was stratified based on gender and leadership. Results We included 2089 physicians from 165 departments of OHNS in German hospitals. Female residents and specialists outnumbered male peers (484/872 [55.5%] vs. 388/872 [44.5%] and 224/363 [61.71%] vs. 139/363 [38.29%], respectively). However, the women proportion decreased gradually with elevated hierarchical rank starting at the attending physician level to reaching its lowest extreme (14/165 [7.23%]) at the head of the department level. Holding a leadership position was associated with being male ( n = 282 [85.2%] vs. n = 49 [14.8%], p < .0001). This persisted even after controlling the academic rank in a multivariable regression model (OR: 5.027, 95% CI: 3.536–7.146). The gap between the two genders in favor of men regarding leadership persisted in all kinds of hospitals. However, this disparity was lowest in university hospitals, (male: n = 83 [78.3%] vs. female: n = 23, [21.7%], p < .0001). Conclusions Even though women outnumbered men in resident and specialist positions, they are still underrepresented in leadership positions in OHNS. Continuous surveillance is needed to watch the dynamic changes in the gap between the two genders and address it with more sex equality‐supporting policies. Level of Evidence IV.

Beyond the Operating Room: Exploring Gender Bias in Leadership Positions in German Plastic Surgery

“…10,11,14,15,[23][24][25][26] Within the sphere of university hospitals, female surgeons hold only 13.9% of leadership positions, whereas their counterparts in otolaryngology make up 21.7% of these positions. 3 However, this figure is slightly higher than their American peers, who hold almost 10% of leadership positions in academic settings. 3,23 In contrast to hospitals located in West Germany, male plastic surgeons in hospitals situated in the former GDR did not occupy significantly higher leading positions compared with their female colleagues.…”

“…3 However, this figure is slightly higher than their American peers, who hold almost 10% of leadership positions in academic settings. 3,23 In contrast to hospitals located in West Germany, male plastic surgeons in hospitals situated in the former GDR did not occupy significantly higher leading positions compared with their female colleagues. This variation may be attributed to the socioeconomic environment and the accessible facilities in the former GDR.…”

“…Consequently, the gender gap in leadership positions persists, and more efforts should be made to narrow it. 3,9–13…”

“…Published data from North America showed this gap to be prominent in plastic surgery, suggesting that the lack of family-supportive policies such as parental leave may be a contributing factor in this disparity. 3,10,11,14,15…”

“…3,[9][10][11][12][13] Published data from North America showed this gap to family-supportive policies such as parental leave may be a contributing factor in this disparity. 3,10,11,14,15 As far as we know, no published studies in Europe have explored the gender gap in leadership positions in plastic surgery. Nevertheless, it would be worthwhile to investigate whether the difference in family-friendly policies for female physicians in Germany would positively affect the percentage of women occupying leadership roles.…”