Citation

Tomer G, Xanthakos S, Kim S, Rao M, Book L, Litman HJ, Fishman LN. J. Pediatr. Gastroenterol. Nutr. 2014; 60(4): 481-485.

Affiliation

*Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY †Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital., University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH ‡Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Nationwide Children's Hospital/The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH §Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Nutrition, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY ||University of Utah College of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah ¶Clinical Research Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA #Pediatric Gastroenterology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/MPG.0000000000000637

PMID

25419680

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:: Gender equality in the workplace has not been described in pediatric gastroenterology.

METHODS:: An electronic survey which explored perceptions of career parity, work-life balance, and workplace harassment was sent to all members of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN). Reponses were anonymous.

RESULTS:: Of the 303 respondents (21%), there was an even distribution across geographic region, age and gender (54% male). Gender affected perception of salary and promotion; 46% of men, but only 9% of women feel that "women earn the same as men" (p < 0.001). Similarly 48% of men but only 12% of women feel that "women rise at the same rate as men." (p < 0.001). Both genders of academic practice respondents, compared with other practice models, perceived men were promoted more quickly than women (p = 0.008). Women had higher dissatisfaction with mentoring than males (29% vs. 13%; p = 0.03). Significantly more males than females reported spouses with 'flexible jobs" (35% vs.14%, p < 0.001). However, having a spouse with "flexible job" or having children (preschool or school age) did not affect satisfaction with work-life balance for either gender. Overall, females are more likely to be dissatisfied with work-life balance than males (p = 0.046).

CONCLUSIONS:: Satisfaction with work-life balance is lower amongst female versus male pediatric gastroenterologists, but does not correlate with flexibility of spouse's job or caring for young children. Gender-divergent perception of promotion, parity of compensation and mentoring requires further investigation.

Language: en