Women as Urologists in Saudi Arabia: Career Choice and Practice Challenges: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Meshari A Alzahrani; Abdalah Almhmd; Muhammad A Khan; Feras Badriq; Budoor Salman; Zainab Y Aljaziri; Naif Alotaibi; Mohammad Alkhamees; Sulaiman Almutairi; Mohammad Shakil Ahmad; Sultan Alkhateeb

doi:10.2147/RRU.S412713

Women as Urologists in Saudi Arabia: Career Choice and Practice Challenges: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Res Rep Urol. 2023 Jun 27:15:273-289. doi: 10.2147/RRU.S412713. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah, Saudi Arabia.
² College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah, Saudi Arabia.
³ College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre (KAIMRC), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, East Jeddah General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
⁶ Department of Urology, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
⁷ Department of Family Medicine, Al Ahsa Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
⁸ King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁹ Department of Family & Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah, Saudi Arabia.
¹⁰ Department of Urology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
¹¹ College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background: There is limited research on whether women choose urology as a future career. Therefore, we aimed in this study to assess the influencing and challenging factors among female physicians in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: We approached 552 female physicians, including 29 (5.2%) urologists and 523 (94.7%) non-urologists. A cross-sectional survey was carried out, which included five sections and 46 items to assess and compare the perspectives of (urologists and non-urologists regarding influencing factors to choose urology, challenges toward applying to urology, and challenges during and after urology residency. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software. Responses were presented as frequencies and percentages, while associations were studied using the Chi-squared test/Fisher's exact test. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Out of 552 female physicians, 466 completed the survey. The survey items compared urologists and non-urologists among female physicians. Among both cohorts, the most influencing factors in choosing urology were the diversity of practice and urological procedures (p =0.002, p<0.001). There were no social barriers or challenges when applying for urology residency (p<0.001). Overall, the majority of female urologists reported a high level of agreement that they have more time to work at the clinic (55.2%), they are satisfied as they are currently being urologists (75.8%), satisfied with their current lifestyle (72.6%). They would choose urology again as a future career (58.6%). Non-urologist female physicians 326 (74.6%) think they are more likely to have experienced gender discrimination than urologists 15 (51.7%) (p<0.001). Female urologists were less likely to face social barriers when applying for urology residency than non-urologists (p<0.001).

Conclusion: As urologists, we must understand women's struggles, such as gender discrimination, a lack of academic advancement, and a lack of mentorship. To foster women's careers in urology, we must understand their unique needs, provide adequate mentorship, exterminate gender discrimination bias, and improve mentorship.

Keywords: Saudi Arabia; challenges; female; residency; training; urology; women.