Recent statistics indicate a significant shift in the demographics of medical students in the United States. In 2023, women made up 55% of incoming medical students, yet they represented only 38% of the physician workforce in 2022. This disparity highlights an ongoing issue: women are still underrepresented in high-compensation specialties, contributing to broader gender inequities in healthcare compensation.
A recent study examined the trends in the proportion of female applicants and matriculants to residency programmes in both surgical and nonsurgical high-compensation specialties from 2008 to 2022. By exploring these trends, the research aims to identify the barriers women face in entering these lucrative fields.
Study Overview
The study utilised data from the National Graduate Medical Education Census and the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) to assess the sex composition of applicants and matriculants in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited residency programmes. Of the 26 specialties analysed, 14 were classified as high-compensation specialties according to Doximity’s national physician compensation survey. The research separated these specialties into surgical (nine specialties) and nonsurgical (five specialties) categories to better understand gender representation in each area.
Key Findings
Notably, the proportion of female matriculants in high-compensation specialties rose significantly from 32.7% in 2008 to 40.8% in 2022 (P=0.003), although this still lagged behind the proportion in non-high-compensation specialties, which remained relatively stable.
In surgical specialties, the proportion of female matriculants increased significantly, from 28.8% in 2008 to 42.4% in 2022 (P=0.001). In contrast, nonsurgical specialties did not show a similar trend, with the proportion of female matriculants remaining nearly unchanged during the same period. The study also observed that the percentage of female applicants to high-compensation nonsurgical specialties decreased from 36.8% in 2009 to 34.3% in 2022 (P=0.001), while the proportion of female applicants to surgical specialties increased from 28.1% to 37.6% (P<0.001).
Discussion and Implications
This study highlights the underrepresentation of female physicians in high-compensation specialties. While there has been progress in increasing the number of female applicants and matriculants in surgical specialties, nonsurgical specialties have not seen the same advancements.
The findings suggest that the trends in matriculation are driven by the increasing interest of women in surgical specialties.
Limitations of the study include the absence of individual-level demographic data, such as race and ethnicity, which could further inform the analysis.
While there are positive trends in female representation within certain specialties, continued efforts are necessary to promote gender equity across all fields of medicine, and identify which strategies are most successful in attracting women to certain specialities and how those strategies can be implemented.
Pharmalys Ltd Supports Women in Pursuing Scientific Careers
As CEO of Pharmalys Ltd, Marieme Ba has spent over two decades in clinical research and has seen firsthand the lack of women in leadership roles within the industry. On a personal level, she supports the Shine To Lead association, where she regularly mentors and advises young girls aspiring to careers in science. She also connects her mentees with scientists and other young peers who share their goals and helps them to secure internships. Professionally, Marieme and the Pharmalys team are dedicated to promoting and supporting young women who choose a scientific career path. At Pharmalys, we are committed to fostering both the professional and personal growth of our staff, striving to create an inclusive, equitable, and stimulating work environment for both women and men. Read more: https://www.pharmalys.com/our-people/; https://www.pharmalys.com/our-values-2/
As part of this commitment, Pharmalys pioneered PACE (Pharmalys Academy of Clinical research Excellence), a unique learning experience for scientific graduates that combines online interactive classes with practical training to produce job-ready clinical research professionals. Read more: https://pace-cr.com/pace-live-the-learning-experience/#programme
We also offer an apprenticeship programme designed for full-time clinical research professionals to enhance their knowledge and skills. Read more: https://pace-cr.com/pace-live-the-learning-experience/#apprenticeship
Our ability to deliver such programmes stems from our extensive experience in clinical research and deep understanding of the industry’s trends, stakeholders, development, and human resources needs. Thanks to our leadership’s expertise in clinical trial management, we can clearly define the skills and knowledge required for competent clinical research professionals.
We are proud of the high-standard curriculum we have developed with input from industry experts and employers. Read more: https://pace-cr.com/instructors/
From Pereira-Lima K; et al. Trends in Female Physicians Entering High-Compensation Specialties, 2008 to 2022. JAMA Research letter. Published online September 30, 2024
Milena Henderson
Project Management Associate, Marketing and Communication for Pharmalys Ltd