Login to Access Video or Poster Abstract: MP86-18
Sources of Funding: None

Introduction

To examine representation in urological subspecialties in relation to surgeon gender and characterize practice patterns among certifying urologists over the last 13 years.

Methods

Demographic and case log data of certifying and recertifying urologists (2004 to 2015) was obtained from the American Board of Urology (ABU). We investigated gender-specific trends in self-reported practice type (academic or private practice), sub-specialization, and employment as a full-time versus part-time physician, relative to certification year and cycle. _x000D_

Results

Of a total of 9,140 urologists applying for certification or recertification over the study period, 815 (8.9%) were women, with first time certifiers representing the largest proportion of women surgeon candidates at 65.0% of all women certifying and 16.7% of total first time certifying urologists (p<0.001). 23.6% of women surgeons identified their practice as being academic compared to 13.7% of their male colleagues(p<0.001). Women surgeons identify as sub-specialists in greater numbers (46.4%) than their male counterparts (23.4%) across all certification cycle cohorts and certification years (p<0.001). 25.4% of all women urologists requesting certification identify as subspecialists in female urology and 10.4% in pediatrics compared to 4.8% and 3.1% of their male colleagues respectively (both p<0.001). Female and male surgeons request certification in equal proportion in infertility (1.9% women compared to 1.8% men). Female surgeons however lag behind their male colleagues in oncology (4.5% compared to 7.6%) as well as endourology and stone disease (4.0% women compared to 6.1% men) across all certification years.

Conclusions

A growing proportion of certifying urologists are women surgeons, who are disproportionately first time certifiers. Women surgeons account for a disproportionate volume of urologists who practice in the academic setting and identify as sub-specialists.

Funding

None