Year: 2022
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Neurosurgery is one of the most demanding medical specialties. For neurosurgeons, balancing professional activity with personal life can be challenging. To evaluate gender differences in contribution of neurosurgeons in the household and child-rearing, as well as their impact on personal life and career. An anonymous, electronic, 59-item web-based survey was administered to National Neurosurgical Societies of Europe, and European Member Societies of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (June–October 2021). A total of 205 European neurosurgeons (87 females and 118 males, mean age 40.7) are included in our survey. In neurosurgery, females are significantly more likely to be alone (37.9%), while males are significantly more likely to have children (66.9%). In terms of household efforts, females spend more time than males on the same tasks. Most participants (71.2%) view gender issues as a disadvantage in career pursuing. Women feel less accepted (54.3%) and having fewer opportunities (58.6%), while men believe that pregnancy/child-rearing (65.8%) and having many roles (51.3%) are the main obstacles. Both genders (77.6%) favor more convenient working conditions for young parents. Discussion and Conclusion. In our study we found that, women neurosurgeons take more responsibilities at home, especially in the child-rearing years. Female neurosurgeons are more likely to live alone or stay childless more often compared to their male colleagues. Supportive facilities, flexible programs, universal life policies and presumably curbing of the social stereotypes are of importance to overcome gender inequities that women are still facing in neurosurgery.
Source: Brain and Spine
Authors: Xanthoula Lambrianou, Christos Tzerefos, Insa K. Janssen, Stiliana Mihaylova, Aysegul Esen Aydin, Selma Al-Ahmad, Marike LD. Broekman, Nurperi Gazioglu, Silvia Hernandez Duran, Daniela Luminita Ivan, Maria Karampouga, Hulda B. Magnadottir, Ermira Pajaj, Ana Rodríguez-Hernández, Gail Rosseau, Niina Salokorpi, Eleni Tsianaka, Pia Vayssiere, Mary Murphy, Anastasia Tasiou
Institutions: University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, University Hospital of Geneva, Medical University of Sofia, University Hospital St. Ivan Rilski, Arnavutköy Devlet Hastanesi, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Leiden University Medical Center, Istinye University, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest Emergency University Hospital, Nicosia General Hospital, Spitali Rajonal Memorial, Fier, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, George Washington University, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
Language: English
Subfield: Gender Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,033
OpenAlex ID: W4294647352