Characteristics of women surgeons in the United States

Background: Women surgeons are becoming increasingly prevalent. Despite this, there have been few studies of personal or professional characteristics of US surgeons of either gender. Methods: Data were taken from the Women Physicians’ Health Study, a nationally representative random sample (n = 4,501 respondents) of US women physicians, and data were analyzed in SUDAAN. Results: Surgeons were younger, and more likely to be US born, white, unmarried, and childless than were other women physicians; their personal health behaviors were similar to those of others. They worked significantly more clinical hours and call nights, but were not more likely to report feeling that they worked too much, had too much work stress, or had less control of their work environment. Their career satisfaction was similar to that of other women physicians, and satisfaction with their specialty was greater. They were less avid preventionists than were primary care practitioners, and somewhat less avid than other specialists. Conclusions: Women surgeons differ in interesting and important ways from other women physicians.