Does gender disparity exist in neurosurgery training? Evidence from a nationwide survey from Pakistan
Gender disparities are prevalent in the neurosurgical field, particularly for female trainees, despite the growing demand for neurosurgeons. The situation is bleaker in low-and middle-income countries, where gender disparities among neurosurgical trainees have not been evaluated. We aimed to gauge t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Medical Education Online |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/10872981.2024.2310385 |
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| author | Muhammad Shakir Hammad Atif Irshad Ahmed Altaf Shamila Ladak Hafiza Fatima Aziz Syed Ather Enam |
| author_facet | Muhammad Shakir Hammad Atif Irshad Ahmed Altaf Shamila Ladak Hafiza Fatima Aziz Syed Ather Enam |
| author_sort | Muhammad Shakir |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Gender disparities are prevalent in the neurosurgical field, particularly for female trainees, despite the growing demand for neurosurgeons. The situation is bleaker in low-and middle-income countries, where gender disparities among neurosurgical trainees have not been evaluated. We aimed to gauge the gender differences in opportunities and perceptions of neurosurgery training in Pakistan by comparing responses between males and females. A nationwide web-based survey was conducted in Pakistan, covering 22 College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan (CPSP) accredited neurosurgery training programs. Convenience sampling was used with a pilot-tested questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26. A total of 120 trainees participated in our survey. The mean age of the participants was 30.4 ± 4.1 years, with 29.2% females and 70.8% males. Concerns about gender equity were more among females (34.3%) than males (27.1%). Poor work-life balance was reported by more females (34.3%) than males (30.6%). Burnout due to working hours was strongly agreed by more females (54.3%) than males (35.3%). More females (40%) acknowledged sufficient mentorship opportunities versus males (25%). Female respondents (65.7%) worked 50–100 hours per week, less than males (69.4%). Satisfaction with surgical exposure was lower among females (2.9%) compared to males (18.8%). More females reported access to teaching courses (82.9% vs. 77.6% males) and neurosurgical conferences (85.7% vs. 80.0% males), cadaver workshops (17.1% vs. 12.9% males), morbidity and mortality meetings (88.6% vs. 82.4% males), case-based sessions (82.9% vs. 75.3% males), and radiology discussions (82.9% vs. 74.1% males). Our study highlights substantial gender gaps in neurosurgical training, concerns over working hours, burnout, mentorship, work-life balance, and gender equity. These findings underscore the necessity for interventions to rectify these disparities and foster gender equity in neurosurgical training. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-84962b2b3eef4f0b843cf11c7e2f3199 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1087-2981 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medical Education Online |
| spelling | doaj-art-84962b2b3eef4f0b843cf11c7e2f31992024-11-29T14:20:58ZengTaylor & Francis GroupMedical Education Online1087-29812024-12-0129110.1080/10872981.2024.2310385Does gender disparity exist in neurosurgery training? Evidence from a nationwide survey from PakistanMuhammad Shakir0Hammad Atif Irshad1Ahmed Altaf2Shamila Ladak3Hafiza Fatima Aziz4Syed Ather Enam5Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, PakistanMedical Student, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, PakistanSection of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, PakistanMedical Student, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, PakistanNeuro-oncology Fellow, Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, PakistanSection of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, PakistanGender disparities are prevalent in the neurosurgical field, particularly for female trainees, despite the growing demand for neurosurgeons. The situation is bleaker in low-and middle-income countries, where gender disparities among neurosurgical trainees have not been evaluated. We aimed to gauge the gender differences in opportunities and perceptions of neurosurgery training in Pakistan by comparing responses between males and females. A nationwide web-based survey was conducted in Pakistan, covering 22 College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan (CPSP) accredited neurosurgery training programs. Convenience sampling was used with a pilot-tested questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26. A total of 120 trainees participated in our survey. The mean age of the participants was 30.4 ± 4.1 years, with 29.2% females and 70.8% males. Concerns about gender equity were more among females (34.3%) than males (27.1%). Poor work-life balance was reported by more females (34.3%) than males (30.6%). Burnout due to working hours was strongly agreed by more females (54.3%) than males (35.3%). More females (40%) acknowledged sufficient mentorship opportunities versus males (25%). Female respondents (65.7%) worked 50–100 hours per week, less than males (69.4%). Satisfaction with surgical exposure was lower among females (2.9%) compared to males (18.8%). More females reported access to teaching courses (82.9% vs. 77.6% males) and neurosurgical conferences (85.7% vs. 80.0% males), cadaver workshops (17.1% vs. 12.9% males), morbidity and mortality meetings (88.6% vs. 82.4% males), case-based sessions (82.9% vs. 75.3% males), and radiology discussions (82.9% vs. 74.1% males). Our study highlights substantial gender gaps in neurosurgical training, concerns over working hours, burnout, mentorship, work-life balance, and gender equity. These findings underscore the necessity for interventions to rectify these disparities and foster gender equity in neurosurgical training.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/10872981.2024.2310385Gender disparitiesneurosurgical trainingworking hoursburnoutmentorship opportunities |
| spellingShingle | Muhammad Shakir Hammad Atif Irshad Ahmed Altaf Shamila Ladak Hafiza Fatima Aziz Syed Ather Enam Does gender disparity exist in neurosurgery training? Evidence from a nationwide survey from Pakistan Medical Education Online Gender disparities neurosurgical training working hours burnout mentorship opportunities |
| title | Does gender disparity exist in neurosurgery training? Evidence from a nationwide survey from Pakistan |
| title_full | Does gender disparity exist in neurosurgery training? Evidence from a nationwide survey from Pakistan |
| title_fullStr | Does gender disparity exist in neurosurgery training? Evidence from a nationwide survey from Pakistan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Does gender disparity exist in neurosurgery training? Evidence from a nationwide survey from Pakistan |
| title_short | Does gender disparity exist in neurosurgery training? Evidence from a nationwide survey from Pakistan |
| title_sort | does gender disparity exist in neurosurgery training evidence from a nationwide survey from pakistan |
| topic | Gender disparities neurosurgical training working hours burnout mentorship opportunities |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/10872981.2024.2310385 |
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