Highlights
- •Most general surgery program directors (PDs) were male who completed a fellowship.
- •Female program directors were appointed at a younger age and have served shorter terms than males.
- •Research output, academic rank, and fellowship training were similar regardless of program director gender.
- •Residencies with a female program director had a greater percentage of female residents.
Abstract
Background
Women remain underrepresented in surgery. We analyzed the demographics of general
surgery program directors (PDs) and compared gender differences.
Methods
A search of online resources was conducted, including 344 general surgery residencies.
Results
340 residencies were included. 261 PDs (76.8%) were male and 79 (23.2%) were female.
Females were appointed at a younger age (p < 0.0001), were appointed sooner after
residency (p < 0.0001) and have served similar term lengths compared to males (p = 0.556).
There was no difference in academic position, fellowship training, or scholarly output
between genders. Residencies with a female PD had a greater percentage of female residents
(p = 0.04).
Conclusion
General surgery PDs are predominately male with fellowship training; however the percentage
of female PDs is similar to the percentage of practicing female general surgeons in
the US. Gaining a better understanding of the characteristics of general surgery PDs
can aid female surgeons in attaining academic leadership positions.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 24, 2022
Accepted:
June 23,
2022
Received:
April 6,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
