Event Title
Women Continue to Be Underrepresented in Surgery: A Study of AMA and ACGME Data from 2000-2016
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Start Date
8-5-2019 1:00 PM
End Date
8-5-2019 4:00 PM
Description
Objective: In the past decade women have comprised nearly half of U.S. medical school graduates. However, women remain underrepresented among surgical residents and practicing surgeons. We conducted the current study to assess recent trends in the female-to-male (F:M) ratios among residents and physicians pursuing careers in surgery.
Design: We used retrospective population statistics published by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) from 2000-2016. We compared trends of female-to-male ratios among residents and surgeons in surgical subspecialties to evaluate for potential differences over time.
Setting: Published online population statistics
Participants: We stratified both board-certified surgeons and surgical residents by sex and specialty.
Results: From 2000-2013, the proportion of female surgeons among all female physicians remained constant (12-13%). The proportion of board-certified female surgeons to all surgeons increased (from 15% in 2000 to 25% in 2013). The F:M ratios of board-certified surgeons in neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery were 1:10.6 and 1:13.9, with resident ratios 1:4.8 and 1:5.9, respectively. One specialty with increasingly equivalent ratios is plastic surgery with integrated resident F:M ratios of 1:3.1 in 2008 to 1:1.4 in 2015, and board-certified plastic surgeons of 1:9.2 in 2008 to 1:5.3 in 2013.
Conclusion: Although the gender gap is narrowing, women continue to be underrepresented in surgical specialties. It is important for fields with disproportionate representation to be aware of these differences and take steps towards creating and supporting a more diverse workforce.
Embargo Period
5-28-2019
Women Continue to Be Underrepresented in Surgery: A Study of AMA and ACGME Data from 2000-2016
Philadelphia, PA
Objective: In the past decade women have comprised nearly half of U.S. medical school graduates. However, women remain underrepresented among surgical residents and practicing surgeons. We conducted the current study to assess recent trends in the female-to-male (F:M) ratios among residents and physicians pursuing careers in surgery.
Design: We used retrospective population statistics published by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) from 2000-2016. We compared trends of female-to-male ratios among residents and surgeons in surgical subspecialties to evaluate for potential differences over time.
Setting: Published online population statistics
Participants: We stratified both board-certified surgeons and surgical residents by sex and specialty.
Results: From 2000-2013, the proportion of female surgeons among all female physicians remained constant (12-13%). The proportion of board-certified female surgeons to all surgeons increased (from 15% in 2000 to 25% in 2013). The F:M ratios of board-certified surgeons in neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery were 1:10.6 and 1:13.9, with resident ratios 1:4.8 and 1:5.9, respectively. One specialty with increasingly equivalent ratios is plastic surgery with integrated resident F:M ratios of 1:3.1 in 2008 to 1:1.4 in 2015, and board-certified plastic surgeons of 1:9.2 in 2008 to 1:5.3 in 2013.
Conclusion: Although the gender gap is narrowing, women continue to be underrepresented in surgical specialties. It is important for fields with disproportionate representation to be aware of these differences and take steps towards creating and supporting a more diverse workforce.