Abstract
Objectives
To evaluate how urologists in various subspecialties view the climate for female urologists,
comparing perceptions of gender inequity based on characteristics including gender,
subspecialty training, faculty status, parental status, and years in practice. Despite
growth in female representation in urology, gender inequalities in career opportunities
and compensation continue to exist.
Methods
An IRB approved survey was sent out to the following list-serves: Society of Urological
Oncology (SUO), Society of Endourology (ENDO), Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons
(GURS), Society of Pediatric Urology (SPU), Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic
Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU), and American Urogynecologic Society
(AUGS). A validated study, the Culture Conducive to Women's Academic Success (CCWAS)
was used, and scores analyzed using Wilcoxon Rank-Sum and Kruskal-Wallace tests.
Results
There were 430 survey responses (35.3% female, 64.7% male). There was a statistically
significant difference in CCWAS score for gender, parental status, and society. On
multiple regression analysis controlling for gender, parental status and society were
not statistically significant. Years in practice and practice type were not significant.
Male urologists perceived practice culture toward women as more equitable than their
female colleagues, (median [interquartile range] CCWAS score, 203.5 [184.25, 225.0]
vs 162.0 [130.75, 188.0]; P<0.0001). This discrepancy in perception between genders
was consistent across all subcategories; equal access, work-life balance, freedom
of gender bias, and leadership support.
Conclusions
This study suggests that there are gender-based differences in how gender inequities
are perceived and experienced in urology. Acknowledgment of these differences is the
first step in identifying opportunities for improvement.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 18,
2022
Received:
September 22,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Journal Pre-ProofFootnotes
Declaration of interests: none
Funding: none
Identification
Copyright
© 2023 Published by Elsevier Inc.
