Surgical training outcomes of female versus male surgeons in Japan.

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical training outcomes of female versus male surgeons in Japan.

METHODS

We conducted a secondary analysis of a nationwide online questionnaire survey from 2023, targeting newly certified surgical trainees in Japan.

RESULTS

Among 757 respondents, 194 (25.6%) self-reported being female. Female trainees were less likely to be married (57% vs. 80%) or have children (25% vs. 48%), and more likely to have a full-time working spouse (85% vs. 42%). Subspecialty preferences differed, with breast surgery favored by female surgeons (34%) and gastrointestinal surgery favored by male surgeons (59%). The number of surgeries performed under general anesthesia, academic papers published, and training program satisfaction did not differ. However, female trainees reported fewer monthly night shifts (median 4 vs. 5, p < 0.01), lower annual incomes (7.57 million vs. 9.82 million JPY, p < 0.01), and that they were more likely to work fewer than 80 monthly overtime hours (41% vs. 31%, p = 0.02), with these gaps being more prominent among those with children.

CONCLUSION

Female and male surgical trainees performed similar numbers of operations under general anesthesia, had similar numbers of academic publications, and had similar levels of training satisfaction. However, the gaps in working hours and salary remain concerning issues requiring further investigation and action.