Full Citation
Title: Women Support Women, Right? Gender Disparities in Decision-to-Incision Time in Emergency Surgery
Citation Type: Journal Article
Publication Year: 2020
ISBN:
ISSN: 1072-7515
DOI: 10.1016/J.JAMCOLLSURG.2020.07.216
NSFID:
PMCID:
PMID:
Abstract: Introduction: Sexism and bias against female surgeons exist today and can impede patient care. This study examines discrepancies in decision-to-incision time (DIT) for male and female surgeons performing emergent operations. Methods: A retrospective chart review of emergent and trauma cases was conducted at a Level I trauma center between August 2015 and October 2019. DIT was calculated from case posting time to incision time. Additional variables included indication, patient gender and age, time of day, surgeon gender and experience, and gender of assisting staff in the operating room. Poisson regression model with random effects for 10 unique surgery indications and surgeon identification was performed. Results: A total of 1,226 emergent general surgery or trauma cases were included for analysis. DIT did not vary significantly between male and female surgeons (80.38 vs 70.72 minutes; p = 0.50). After controlling for other factors, female surgeons operating with a majority female staff (both female) had a DIT that was 1.08 times longer than with a majority male staff (p < 0.01) (Figure). On average, female surgeons with majority male staff had a DIT of 59.19 minutes and female surgeons with majority female staff had a DIT of 85.49 minutes. Male surgeon DIT did not vary with staff gender. [Formula presented] Conclusions: Female surgeons who operate with predominantly female staff in emergency settings have a prolonged DIT, leading to critical delays in patient care. Efforts to identify and correct implicit bias against female surgeons are key to ensuring excellent patient outcomes and requires collaborative engagement by all team members.
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Authors: Schachter, Aubrey E.; Boudreaux, Taylor M.; Guice, Kelsie; Gwan, Anwei P.; Boudreaux, Taylor L.; Boudreaux, Sydney R.; Gnerlich, Jennifer L.; Chapple, Andrew G.; Guidry, Chrissy; Jernigan, Amelia
Periodical (Full): Journal of the American College of Surgeons
Issue: 4
Volume: 231
Pages: S113-S114
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