Needs and Experiences of United States Female Urology Residents

Michelle Sheng; Alice Chu; Almira Catic; Lindsey Hartsell; Akanksha Mehta

doi:10.1016/j.urology.2023.05.045

Needs and Experiences of United States Female Urology Residents

Urology. 2023 Oct:180:66-73. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2023.05.045. Epub 2023 Jul 16.

Authors

Michelle Sheng¹, Alice Chu², Almira Catic³, Lindsey Hartsell², Akanksha Mehta²

Affiliations

¹ Emory Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Electronic address: michelle.sheng@emory.edu.
² Emory Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
³ Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

PMID: 37437612
DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2023.05.045

Abstract

Objective: To identify factors influencing residency training program selection by women residents in urology and to evaluate the residents' gender-based experiences during training. Urology remains a disproportionately male-physician-dominated field. Understanding the needs and experiences of women residents is essential for developing strategies to recruit and retain more women urologists in independent practice.

Methods: An anonymous, 15-item web-based electronic survey was posted on social media and distributed via institutional email addresses between May and July 2021, targeted to all 461 current women U.S. urology residents. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods and thematic analysis, respectively.

Results: 147 complete responses were received. The most important factors influencing initial residency training program selection included geographic location/setting (37%) and institutional reputation (27%), compared to number of women faculty (3.4%) and women residents (0%). However, respondents cited a need for increased presence of women faculty and mentorship (36%), elimination of gender bias/harassment in the workplace (33%), and improved family support/maternity leave policies (15%) during residency to better foster clinical and academic growth of women residents. In interactions with patients, 97% reported not being recognized as a doctor, 84% reported stereotyping of women doctors, and 78% reported experiencing inappropriate treatment/harassment from male patients.

Conclusion: Geographic setting and institutional reputation were the most important factors for residency program selection by women urology residents. Although overlooked as a priority during the initial application process, current women urology residents seek increased women faculty presence, leadership and mentorship during residency to foster clinical and academic growth. Women residents face extremely high rates of gender bias and harassment in the workplace.