Career and lifestyle among female surgeons in Jordan

Abstract

Background: Female surgeons face various challenges that may affect their career and lifestyle satisfaction, such as sex bias, work-family conflict, and lack of mentorship. However, little is known about the situation of female surgeons in Jordan, a developing country with limited resources and a high demand for surgical services.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the career and lifestyle satisfaction among female surgeons in Jordan, and to explore the relationship between income level, family stability, job security, and job satisfaction. The study also aimed to identify the variation of the challenges that surround female surgeons in different regions of Jordan.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that used a self-administered questionnaire to collect data from 244 female surgeons working in Jordan. The questionnaire was adapted from the National Lifestyles in Surgery Today Survey, which was previously used to assess career and lifestyle satisfaction among surgeons in the United States. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: demographic and practice characteristics, career satisfaction, work-life balance, and perceived challenges and improvement areas. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: The study polled 340 surgeons, the majority of whom were female, young, and general surgeons, to investigate the variables influencing their job satisfaction. Working hours were shown to be related to residence (P=0.000, χ ²2=163.749) and to have an influence on health (4.40%), pay (64.12%), hobbies (46.76%), and family (55%). Female surgeons suffered increased sex bias (68.85%), disrespect (31.56%), inadequate mentorship (35.25%), and harassment (16.00%), according to the research. Quite similarly, 30.21% of male corespondents agreed to the presence of sex discrimination, with 10.42 and 21.88% conjoining on the evidence of lack of respect and incompetent mentoring, respectively. According to the survey, professional happiness varies by speciality, with ENTs being the most satisfied (97.10%) and OBGYNs being the least satisfied (25%). The survey also discovered that male students (36.76%) were more likely to be recommended to pursue a career in surgery than female students (31.18%). According to the survey, salary, leave, and sector are also variables impacting job happiness, with the majority of satisfied surgeons earning 1000 JOD or less, having 30 days of leave, and working in the MOH or the private sector.

Conclusions: Female surgeons in Jordan are generally satisfied with their careers but face several challenges that affect their work-life balance and professional development. There is a need for more advocacy and support for female surgeons in Jordan to address these challenges and improve their career and lifestyle satisfaction.

Keywords: challenges; female; lifestyle; satisfaction; surgeons; surgery.

Figure 1.

Medical speciality in proportion to working hours per week.

Figure 2.

Bar chart conveying career satisfaction amongst surgical specialties.