Perceptions of gender equity in pediatric urology

Summary Introduction/objective Women constitute more than 50% of medical students in the United States. However, only 9.9% of practicing urologists are women, with much fewer numbers in high ranking appointments and positions of leadership. With a growing number of women in pediatric urology, we sought to evaluate how pediatric urologists perceive the climate for women physicians and compare perceptions and experiences of gender equity based on characteristics including gender, practice type, parental status, and years in practice.Results A total of 116 practicing physicians returned completed surveys for analysis (response rate, 116/355 (33%) [ n = 41,35.3%] female [n = 75,64.7%] male). There was a statistically significant difference in total CCWAS score between male and female genders, indicating male physicians perceived the culture of their department toward women more positively than their female counterparts (median [ interquartile range] CCWAS score, 208.0 [189.0-228.0] vs 164.0 [136.0-190.3]; P Discussion Limitations of our survey include both participation and non-response bias. Those with strong opinions may have been more likely to respond to the survey. Male respondents comprised 64.7% (n = 75) of overall respondents, representing 25% active male SPU members. Whereas the response rate of active female members of the SPU was 70%. The survey was designed to assess gender equity in academia, and may not be as generalizable to the private practice community. Yet, the differences in perceptions and experiences of gender equity of this study have been noted by studies in other specialties, as well as the 2018 AUA Census report, and may provide insight into the presence and perpetuation of unconscious or systemic biases within medicine.Conclusion In this study, male physician perceptions of gender equity were different from those reported by female physicians, suggesting there are gender-based differences in how gender inequities are perceived and experienced.Summary TableDemographic Descriptive Statistics and CCWAS ScoreCCWAS ScoresKruskal-Wallace Test ResultsnMeanMedianIQR (Quartiles)P-valueGenderFemale41 (35.3%)165.9164.056.0 (136.0, 190.3)10 years75 (64.7%)193.8201.036.5 (180.5, 217.05)Role (Before consolidation)Academic practice, full time91 (78.4%)194.8201.043.0 (178.5, 221.5)Academic practice, part time3 (2.6%)165.3183.031.5 (154.0, 185.5)Private practice, full time19 (16.4%)192.8199.032.5 (180.0, 212.5)Private practice, part time3 (2.6%)192.7198.09.0 (189.5, 198.5)Role (After consolidation)Academic94 (81.0%)193.9199.042.3 (178.25, 220.5)0.72aPrivate22 (19.0%)192.8198.528.0 (181.5, 209.5)Parental StatusYes100 (86.2%)195.319937.3 (179.8, 217.0)0.42No15 (12.9%)187.218262.5 (156.5, 219.0)Prefer not to answer1 (0.8%)1271270.0 (127.0, 127.0)aDenotes inexact p-value because of rank-sum tie. Exact Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallace tests were performed as one subsample was less than 50 in each analysis.