National survey results on effect of COVID-19 pandemic on female surgeons: A new normal work environment

Alisha Oropallo; Asanthi Ratnasekera; Lisa Cannada; Yangyang Yu; Fatima Qamar; Chantal Reyna

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2023.10.027

National survey results on effect of COVID-19 pandemic on female surgeons: A new normal work environment

Am J Surg. 2023 Oct 10:S0002-9610(23)00535-4. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2023.10.027. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Alisha Oropallo¹, Asanthi Ratnasekera², Lisa Cannada³, Yangyang Yu⁴, Fatima Qamar⁵, Chantal Reyna⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Vascular Surgery, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine, Hofstra University/Northwell Health, Hempstead, NY, 11549, USA.
² Department of Surgery, Christianacare Health, Newark, DE, USA. Electronic address: ashanthi27@hotmail.com.
³ Novant Health Orthopaedic Fracture Clinic, University of North Carolina Department of Orthopaedics Adjunct Professor, UNC Charlotte Director of Faculty Integration, Charlotte, NC, USA.
⁴ Department of Surgery, University of California Irvine, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, CA, USA.
⁵ DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
⁶ Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.

PMID: 37863799
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2023.10.027

Abstract

Background: The impact of COVID-19 reaches the overall well-being of women surgeons. We aimed to describe the impact of transitioning to a new challenging environment.

Methods: A survey of 60 quantitative questions using a Likert-like scale was distributed electronically via email across 1200 members of the Association of Women Surgeons in 2021. Family lifestyle factors including care for children, elderly family members, extent of household chores, and impact of COVID-19 pandemic were queried.

Results: A total of 139 members responded. Fifty one percent of these respondents had children at home and 31.2% indicated they needed additional help at home during that time. Eighteen percent of those in practice cared for their elderly family members. Of the survey participants, 71.2% felt the COVID pandemic resulted in a worsened clinical practice, with 30.9% noting a decrease in income.

Conclusions: Women surgeons faced crucial challenges during and post pandemic. An awareness of the changing needs of women surgeons is essential.

Keywords: COVID impact; Female surgeon; Practice; Research.