Gender Differences Among Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstructive Surgeons

Objective: To determine whether gender differences exist in the training history, practice patterns, and home lives of surgeons who perform microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Medical facilities that employ surgeons who practice head and neck microvascular reconstruction in the United States. Methods: A survey was created using the Research Electronic Data Capture Framework and was distributed via email to microvascular reconstructive surgeons. Descriptive statistics were performed using Stata software. Results: No significant differences were found in training or current practice patterns between microvascular surgeons who identify as men versus those who identify as women. Women had fewer children (p =.020) and were more likely to be childless (p =.002). Whereas men were more likely to report a spouse/partner as primary caretaker, women were more likely to hire a professional caretaker or cite themselves as a primary caretaker (p <.001). Women were more likely to have finished residency (p =.015) and fellowship (p =.014) more recently and to practice in the Southeast (p =.006). Of the microvascular surgeons who reported practice setting switches, men more commonly changed positions for career advancement, whereas women were more likely to switch due to burnout (p =.002). Conclusion: This study found no gender-based differences in training or practice patterns. However, significant differences were identified in childbearing, family structure, geographic practice location, and motives for switching practice.