More women gynecologists in Belgium: assessment of changes in the workforce—a survey

International data highlight the increasing participation of women in the workforce in the medical field and particularly among obstetricians and gynecologists (OB-GYN). Some studies reported a gender difference in work productivity and practice patterns. The aim of this study is to analyze whether disparities exist between male and female OB-GYN in their practices with potential consequences for the organization of the OB-GYN departments.

A survey of all active, Belgian OB-GYNs concerning their professional activity and well-being and a survey of the heads of OG departments evaluating the impact of feminisation on their department.

The response rate was 43% (n = 615). Women and men worked a similar number of half-days per week, respectively, 10.1 ± 2.4 and 10.3 ± 3.2 (p = 0.26) but women treated less patients per week (80 versus 90, p = 0.034). Pear year, women and men perform, respectively, 108 and 184 surgical procedures (p = 0.0001) plus 114 and 100 deliveries (p = 0.09). Female OB-GYNs have fewer children but the size of their family has no bearing on work hours. Qualitatively, most OB-GYN regardless of their gender, consider their profession to be gratifying. Dissatisfaction is related to organizational concerns for women and to pressure of competitiveness for men. Women are more concerned about their private life and men more focussed on their professional career. However, both expressed the primary importance of good health and quality of life. A majority (66%) of head of departments do not consider that the feminisation of their staff is problematic.

There was no difference in time spent at work between male and female OB-GYN. The number of patients treated by female OB-GYN per week is smaller which means that the time spent per patient is higher. The OG profession does not appear to be jeopardized by its feminisation according to this study and the opinion of the head of departments. Nevertheless, we need to take into account when organizing the future workforce that women tend to focus more on the time spent with patients than on surgical procedures.