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.