Female pulmonologists experienced poorer health and reduced quality of life related to their professional activities
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background Despite increasing gender parity in medical school enrolment, disparities in career progression and physician well-being persist. This study evaluated professional experiences, health status and perceived gender-related barriers among pulmonologists in France. Methods A nationwide, anonymous cross-sectional survey (546-item) was distributed to all French pulmonologists between July 2023 and February 2024. Data included work-related health disorders, career paths and gender perceptions. Gender differences in dissatisfaction and health issues were assessed (chi 2 and Fisher's exact tests). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the impact of gender on career outcomes. Results A total of 586 pulmonologists responded (21% response rate), 57% of whom were women; median age of 38 (interquartile range 32–49) years. Job satisfaction was moderate (mean± sd score of 3.5±1.0, out of 5)). Mental health issues were common. 51.5% reported anxiety, 22.0% burnout, 16.9% depression and over 60% had sleep disturbances. Women reported significantly higher rates of anxiety (58.8% versus 44.2%), burnout (27.9% versus 15.4%) and anxiolytic use (23.0% versus 14.5%) than men. Gender was a limiting factor in career choices (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.41–2.80) and opportunities (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.57–3.15), particularly among female physicians with children. Women were more likely than men to adjust their career plans for family reasons (18% versus 12%) or job offers (67.0% versus 33.1%). In multivariate analyses, gender remained a limiting factor in career choices (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.39–2.90) and opportunities (OR 2.39, 95%CI 1.65–3.48), after adjustment for age, number of children and practice settings. Conclusion This national survey highlights notable gender-based disparities in mental health and career advancement among French pulmonologists.
Source: ERJ Open Research
Authors: Claire Leloup, Emilie Mesa, Damien Basille, Augustin Boudoussier, Arnaud Maurac, Léo Grassion, Camille Rolland-Debord, Iban Larrouture, Clémence Martin, Florence Jeny, Thomas Maitre, Maxime Patout, Lucile Sese, Thibaud Soumagne, Thomas Gille, Grégoire Justeau, Hélène Salvator, Jonathan Messika, Etienne-Marie Jutant, Vanessa Bironneau, Olivier Le Rouzic, Michael Duruisseaux, Bruno Ribeiro Baptista, Anne-Claire Toffart, Simon Valentin, Maéva Zysman
Institutions: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux, Centre d'Investigation Clinique Plurithématique de Bordeaux, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Amiens-Picardie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Clermont-Ferrand, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Institut Cochin, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Hôpital Avicenne, Hypoxie et Poumon, Sorbonne Université, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Hôpital Tenon, SoLID : SOrbonne study group for Lung Infectious Diseases, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d'Angers, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Virologie et Immunologie Moléculaires, Hôpital Foch, Université de Poitiers, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Poitiers, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Université de Lyon, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Hôpital Louis Pradel, Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire de Nancy, Défaillance Cardiovasculaire Aiguë et Chronique, Université de Lorraine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble
Language: English
Subfield: Gender Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $808
OpenAlex ID: W4417467819