Exploring Gender Differences: Training, Practice, and Family Dynamics Among Fellowship-Trained Neurotologists

Sunday, September 29, 2024

8:42 AM – 8:48 AM EDT

Location: MBCC, 231

Disclosure(s):

Nadia L. Samaha, BS:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Maria Armache, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Leila J. Mady, MD, PhD, MPH:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to determine whether gender differences exist in the training history, practice patterns, and home lives of fellowship-trained neurotologists.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a survey was developed and distributed via email to neurotologists in January 2024. The survey assessed participant demographics, training history, practice patterns, family structure, and work-life balance. Descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses were performed using SPSS.

Results: Among 132 neurotologists contacted, 51 completed the survey [78.4% men, 21.6% women]. Most respondents were White (76.5%), practiced in an academic setting (90.2%), worked full-time (92.2%), and were located in the Northeast (39.2%). There were no gender differences in training or current practice patterns. Women were more likely to report switching practice settings due to job dissatisfaction (45.5% vs 15%, p = 0.03) or need for childcare (18.2% vs 0%, p = 0.006) and reduce work hours due to need for childcare (27.3% vs 0%, p < 0.001) or their significant other’s job (18.2% vs 2.5%, p = 0.05). On multivariate analysis, women were more likely to have their first child post-fellowship (53.3% vs 20.6%, p = 0.047). Reporting one’s spouse as the primary child caregiver was more common among men (47.5% vs 9.1%, p=0.02) and less common among those with a spouse who is also a physician (6.66% vs 60%, p=0.01). Reporting professional caretaking services as the primary childcare model was more likely among participants who were women (60% vs 17.5%, p=0.01), had spouses who are also physicians (53.3% vs 38.5%, n = 0.006), were <50 years of age (61.5% vs 38.5%, p = 0.021), were in practice for <10 years (53.8% vs 38.5%, p = 0.008), and had a higher number of children (x̄ = 1.94 SD = 1.21, p = 0.003).

Conclusions: While minimal gender differences were identified in training or practice patterns among neurotologists, significant differences were found in childbearing, family structure, and motives for changes in practice.

Presenting Author(s)

Nadia L. Samaha, BS

Research Fellow
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Co-Author(s)

Maria Armache, MD

Postdoctoral research fellow
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Rachel A. Stemme, BS

Medical Student
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
Leila J. Mady, MD, PhD, MPH

Assistant Professor
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Senior Author(s)

Tiffany P. Hwa, MD

Assistant Professor
Division of Otology, Neurotology, & Lateral Skull Base Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Health System
Princeton Junction, NJ, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.