Rising Tides: Challenges and Opportunities for Women in the Urologic Workforce

Velez, Danielle; Ashok, Aparna; Greenberg, Rachel; Wasserman, Meredith; Balen, Alejandra; Fantasia, Jennifer; Avellino, Gabriella; Cancian, Madeline; Aguiar, Liza; Thavaseelan, Simone

doi:10.1016/j.urology.2020.07.014

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…This finding could potentially be attributed to the barriers women face in the field of urology and the difficulties in finding research opportunities. Velez et al found that there are institutional policies and pervasive biases that create such barriers for women [7]. Furthermore, researchers have found that there has been an increase in female representation in urological publications; however, their papers are less likely to be cited and still make up a smaller proportion of urological literature [8].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating PubMed-Indexed Publications of Applicants Successfully Matching into the Top 50 Urology Residency Programs in the 2021-2023 Cycles

Mirza¹,

Williamson²,

Mirza³

et al. 2023

Cureus

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Background and objectiveUrology residency match occurs through the American Urological Association (AUA), and hence information about the success of applicants in finding a match is not readily available. The average number of publications a successful urology applicant has when applying for residency is unknown. In light of this, we conducted this study to examine the number of PubMed-indexed research projects involving US senior medical students who successfully matched into the top 50 urology residency programs in the 2021, 2022, and 2023 match cycles. We also assessed these applicants based on their medical schools and gender. MethodsDoximity Residency Navigator was used to generate the top 50 residency programs as sorted by reputation. Newly matched residents were found using program Twitter accounts and residency program websites. PubMed was queried for peer-reviewed publications of incoming interns. ResultsThe average number of publications across all incoming interns in the three years was 3.65. The average number of urology-specific publications was 1.86 and that of first-author urology publications was 1.11. The median number of total publications for matched applicants was 2, and applicants with a total of five publications were in the 75th percentile for research productivity. ConclusionA successful applicant had two PubMed-indexed urology papers on average and also had a urology-specific first-author paper in the cycles we surveyed. There has been an increase in publications per applicant when comparing the results to previous application cycles, which can be attributed to post-pandemic changes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating PubMed-Indexed Publications of Applicants Successfully Matching into the Top 50 Urology Residency Programs in the 2021-2023 Cycles

Mirza¹,

Williamson²,

Mirza³

et al. 2023

Cureus

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“…Bradbury et al (survey of urologist) reported that 63% believed that gender discrimination affected their practice, and 44% noted they were discouraged from choosing urology because of gender. 17 Urology is a field that is dominated by male physicians. Although this is beginning to change, concerns have been raised that this preponderance of male urologists may dissuade female medical students from entering the field.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Interest of Women Medical Students in Urology. The Major Deterrents!

Mumtaz¹

2021

Urology Open A Open J

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Introduction: The medical profession was formerly a male-dominated one, but over the years, the population of female medical students has risen. The representation of women in surgery and allied specialities has always been a debate accross the world. Like most surgical fields, Urology remains a male dominant profession. A critical component of the advancement of any field is the reqruitment of the brightest medical students of both genders. To improve the distaff workforce, it is important to understand why qualified students would not enter the field. Objectives & Methodology: A total of 218 questionnaires were filled. 94 from final year students, and 124 house officers and postgraduate female doctors. The respondents were asked to choose the most appropriate response and choices among the options listed and were allowed to choose at least one but not more than three options. Results: Out of 218 females, only 26% choose to opt a career in urology, where as 74% females had a clear answer that was NO. Those who wished to join surgery considered stress during the working hours (47.8%), lifestyle and family concerns (45.7%), and interest that developed during the medical graduation (35.7%) as strong determinants. Male dominance in the field (47.8%), “do not want to operate on the genitals” (45.6%), and cultural issues (29.1%) to be the most deterring factors. Discussion: The choice of specialty by medical students is a complex process involving a myriad of variables. Lifestyle and family concerns have been the most important determining factor for choice in any surgical field (urology career 5), 45.7% in our study, which is consistent with other studies across the world, but surprisingly 15.9% of respondents cited lifestyle as a negative factor in choosing the field. The more concerning factors that refrain the final year students to enter the field as compared to house officers and postgraduate residents were lack of interest, poor lifestyle, and high work stress in the field. Adequate clinical exposure to urology enables medical students to build a rational perception of the field. The decision making can be unbiased only when it is not influenced by myths related to urology and other specializations. Conclusion It is important to develop a realistic perception of urological field that includes female urology as well. It should be ensured that medical students have clinical exposure to urology, receiving appropriate mentorship, and develop a curriculam of the specialty during undergraduate program that may substantially facilitate recruitment. Keywords: Female Urology; Women; Clinical practice; Urology

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“…Unfortunately, inequity also extends to salary, with men earning more than women in urology, even after correcting for possible confounding factors. This may be due to high non‐professional commitments, private practice or the fact that women are less likely to negotiate their contractual agreements and/or take on more administrative, non‐clinical work 11 …”

Section: Career Progressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This may be due to high non-professional commitments, private practice or the fact that women are less likely to negotiate their contractual agreements and/or take on more administrative, non-clinical work. 11…”

Section: Career Progressionmentioning

confidence: 99%