Gender differences in work-life balance of European neurosurgeons

Xanthoula Lambrianou 1, Christos Tzerefos 1, Insa K Janssen 2, Stiliana Mihaylova 3, Aysegul Esen Aydin 4, Selma Al-Ahmad 5, Marike Ld Broekman 6, Nurperi Gazioglu 7, Silvia Hernandez Duran 8, Daniela Luminita Ivan 9, Maria Karampouga 10, Hulda B Magnadottir 11, Ermira Pajaj 12, Ana Rodríguez-Hernández 13, Gail Rosseau 14, Niina Salokorpi 15, Eleni Tsianaka 16, Pia Vayssiere 2, Mary Murphy 17, Anastasia Tasiou 1

Affiliations

09 May 2022

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doi: 10.1016/j.bas.2022.101100

Abstract

Introduction: Neurosurgery is one of the most demanding medical specialties. For neurosurgeons, balancing professional activity with personal life can be challenging.

Research question: To evaluate gender differences in contribution of neurosurgeons in the household and child-rearing, as well as their impact on personal life and career.

Material and methods: 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).

Results: 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.

Keywords: Career; Children; Gender differences; Home responsibilities; Neurosurgeon; Work-life balance.

Figures

Fig. 1 Bar chart depicting the time (hours/week) spent for housework by neurosurgeons' partners/spouses. The chart depicts that male neurosurgeons have more help at home by their partners compared to their female colleagues based on the hours spent. Although 68.5% of female neurosurgeons' partners spend less than 5 ​h for housework, only 13.9% of male neurosurgeons' partners spend the same time. This difference is statistically significant (p ​< ​0.05).

Fig. 1 Bar chart depicting the time (hours/week) spent for housework by neurosurgeons' partners/spouses. The chart depicts that male neurosurgeons have more help at home by their partners compared to their female colleagues based on the hours spent. Although 68.5% of female neurosurgeons' partners spend less than 5 ​h for housework, only 13.9% of male neurosurgeons' partners spend the same time. This difference is statistically significant (p ​< ​0.05).

Fig. 2 Gender-associated factors negatively affecting the career pursuing. The most important parameter is pregnancy and child-rearing. However, after subgroup analysis, as it is illustrated by the chart, female neurosurgeons believe that less acceptance and fewer opportunities mainly contribute to this issue (p ​< ​0.05), while males support that the presence of many roles and pregnancy are the main contributors (p ​> ​0.05).

Fig. 2 Gender-associated factors negatively affecting the career pursuing. The most important parameter is pregnancy and child-rearing. However, after subgroup analysis, as it is illustrated by the chart, female neurosurgeons believe that less acceptance and fewer opportunities mainly contribute to this issue (p ​< ​0.05), while males support that the presence of many roles and pregnancy are the main contributors (p ​> ​0.05).

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