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A Gender Comparison

Carolyn M. Dresler, MD; Deborah L. Padgett, PhD; Susan E. Mackinnon, MD; G. Alexander Patterson, MD

Arch Surg. 1996;131(11):1128-1134.

Abstract
Objective
To assess the career and practice experiences of cardiothoracic surgeons, with references to gender similarities and differences.

Design
Four-step mailed 115-question survey.

Subjects
All identified women, and a cohort of men, certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.

Main Outcome Measures
Academic rank, career background, salary, perceptions and experiences of harassment or discrimination, and personal life characteristics.

Results
No differences were found in training backgrounds. More men (64%) than women (52%) were in university practices. Comparable proportions of men and women were assistant professors (27%), but more men (27%) than women (13.6%) were full professors. Fifty-eight percent of women and 21% of men reported salaries of less than $250 000; 62% of men and 32% of women had incomes over $350 000. Career satisfaction was comparable between genders; however, women perceived the promotion process as unfair and unrelated to academic rank. Both genders encouraged men toward a surgical career; men were less likely than women to encourage women to pursue a surgical career (P<.01). Women, much more than men, believed that discrimination hindered their career development (P<.001). Characteristics of personal life were also considerably different between the genders.

Conclusion
Although practice and training parameters for male and female cardiothoracic surgeons are comparable, work experiences, personal life, and career rewards such as salary and promotion, and perception of discrimination are different.

Arch Surg. 1996;131:1128-1134

Author Affiliations
From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (Drs Dresler and Patterson) and Plastic Surgery (Dr Mackinnon), Washington University, St Louis, Mo, and School of Social Welfare, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (Dr Padgett).

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