Work, life, and the gender effect: Perspectives of ACVIM Diplomates in 2017. Part 2—The intersection of personal life and professional career

Abstract

Background: In the field of veterinary surgery, women neither marry nor have children at the same rate as men, and those who do may experience more career disruption as a result. The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) is 1 of the few areas of specialized medicine that is predominantly female; it is unknown if such a demographic shift would produce a different environment for individuals cultivating their personal life. Hypothesis/Objectives: To report data regarding subjective and objective aspects of the intersection of the personal and professional lives of Diplomates of the ACVIM. Sample: Eight hundred ninety-six surveys (781 completed) of ACVIM Diplomates, including cardiology, large and small animal internal medicine, neurology, and oncology. Methods: An 82-item online survey was distributed to ACVIM Diplomates via Diplomate college listservs. Participation was voluntary. Results: Men were more likely to be married and have children than were women. Women had or adopted their first child at a later career stage compared with men, and agreed more strongly that career stage was an influential factor in family planning. Those with children worked fewer hours compared with those without, and this effect was greater among women. Women were more likely to require external childcare, but most men and women shared childcare responsibilities equally outside of working hours.

Comparison of resident and intern salaries with the current living wage as a quantitative estimate of financial strain among postgraduate veterinary trainees

“…For any individual who has a family or is planning to start one, the living wage requirement becomes disproportionally higher owing to considerations such as childcare and other costs. Recent studies 23,24,34 of the 2 largest specialty colleges, the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, have demonstrated a lack of racial and ethnic diversity, a low rate of childbirth during postgraduate training, 35,36 and a gender discrepancy in residency applications. 37 Although myriad factors surely participate in these differences, it is likely that implicit economic bias is a contributing factor.…”

Occupational segregation by gender in veterinary specialties: Who we are choosing, or who is choosing us

“…The needs and experiences of a female-predominant workforce are likely to be different on professional and personal levels, including work hours, career decisions, income and advancement gaps, and requirements for pregnancy and family planning. 6,13,[16][17][18] The degree to which a working environment will need to adapt may change as the proportion of women in the workforce continues to grow.…”

“…Women may more strongly consider the interrelationship of work and time when determining career choice as compared with men. 30 Female veterinary specialists both experience and perceive a more negative interrelationship between family and career 16,17 ; those experiences have caused some women physicians to leave the field of surgical practice. 31,32 Another study revealed higher rates of entry of women into residency training programs in specialties that decreased their working hours and showed that hour requirements influenced directly influenced female doctor's career choices more than other factors.…”

“…While large and small animal surgery appear poised for a demographic shift to a female majority, other specialty areas have already tipped that scale to varying degrees but are experiencing continued growth of women in practice. The workforce is changing and will continue to look different than it does now; while specialization can be an attractive option for reasons outlined previously, 6,13,16,17 it poses significant points to consider for private practices and academic settings, alike. The needs and experiences of a female‐predominant workforce are likely to be different on professional and personal levels, including work hours, career decisions, income and advancement gaps, and requirements for pregnancy and family planning 6,13,16–18 .…”

“…The workforce is changing and will continue to look different than it does now; while specialization can be an attractive option for reasons outlined previously, 6,13,16,17 it poses significant points to consider for private practices and academic settings, alike. The needs and experiences of a female‐predominant workforce are likely to be different on professional and personal levels, including work hours, career decisions, income and advancement gaps, and requirements for pregnancy and family planning 6,13,16–18 . The degree to which a working environment will need to adapt may change as the proportion of women in the workforce continues to grow.…”