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The Importance Of Gender-Specific Role Models In Choosing A Career In Vascular Surgery

Cynthia E K Shortell, Chad Cook
Duke University, Durham, NC

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, vascular surgery residencies (VSR) have experienced a decrease in applicants. In addition, analysis of the applicant pool shows a relative paucity of women in general surgery residencies (GSR) choosing vascular surgery. Discussion of this issue has focused on the premise that lifestyle considerations are of greater importance to women compared to their male counterparts. Given that the number of existing female vascular surgeons is very small, and the number in leadership positions at an institutional or national level even smaller, we undertook to determine whether a lack of gender-specific role models for women plays a role in career selection, as well as to elucidate what other factors are influential in this decision.

METHODS: A web-based, anonymous survey was distributed to 222 GSR and VSR trainees. The 26 questions investigated predictors of career choice, including potential personal, professional, and financial factors affecting specialty choice. Responses to subjective questions were on a 5 point ordinal scale regarding the importance of each factor. Logistic regression modeling was used to determine the association between lifestyle influences and career choice.

RESULTS: Responses were received from 90 individuals (40.5%): the characteristics are shown in Table 1. Predictors of women choosing VS are shown in Table 2: the model was significant and the Nagelkerke R2 was 53, suggesting moderate explanatory power. The opportunity to provide non-operative care and to perform research approached significance, while lifestyle considerations (on call, predictable/fewer hours, choice of practice type and location), radiation exposure, financial security, career advancement were not predictive of career choice.

CONCLUSIONS: In the population surveyed, women did not report lifestyle considerations as important in career choice, while professional considerations and the lack of female role models was extremely influential. Attention to career development on an institutional and national level for our existing female vascular surgeons is needed to address this issue. In addition, offering a range of lifestyle options for vascular surgeons of both genders is vital given the striking finding that not a single female VSR respondent had children, and few were in relationships.