Why Do Women Choose to Enter Academic Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?

Publication date: Available online 9 January 2016
Source:Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Author(s): Antonia Kolokythas, Michael Miloro
PurposeTo determine why women chose to enter an academic career in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS).Materials and MethodsAn online questionnaire was developed and emailed to female ?OMS surgeons to assess the reasons why women choose to pursue an academic career, the perceived positive and negative features of academia for women, and proposed measures to increase the percentage of women choosing to specialize in OMS and pursue an academic career.Results31 female OMS surgeons completed the questionnaire; one additional participant accessed the survey but did not respond to any of the questions. There were 25 full-time academics and 6 part-time academics (50% time commitment or more). 72% of the responders were married, and of those 72% were married prior to entering academics. 47%% of the women had children, all during their academic tenure. Among the full time academicians with children, only 2 (7.7%) reported moderate difficulty finding the time for childbirth and maternity leave, while 3 out of the 5 part time academics with children, reported moderate or significant difficulty with childbirth and maternity leave. Factors associated with choosing and enjoying an academic career are involvement in resident-student teaching (78%), followed by colleague camaraderie and collaboration (65.6%), research potential (50%), time flexibility and not having to deal with excessive "business" practice issues (33%). The main reason for considering leaving an academic OMS career and/or amongst the least enjoyable aspects of being in academics were the potential for a higher income in private practice (56%). Less significant reasons for considering leaving an academic OMS career were a more flexible work schedule in the private sector and less institutional red tape (37.5%), independence/being in control, and more family time (22%), Engaging residents and students by female OMS, better mentorship from academic OMS and increase in the number of women serving in leadership positions in organized OMS, were identified as the most important measures to increase female involvement in academic OMS.ConclusionThis study shows that among the major motivating factors for choosing an academic career are: the involvement in resident-student teaching and colleague camaraderie and collaboration. Additional important factors for making this career choice were the research potential in academia, time flexibility and not having to deal with excessive "business" practice issues. The reasons that deter women from entering OMS as a specialty and choosing a full-time academic OMS career are not significantly related to childbirth and family life. The main reason for potentially considering leaving an academic OMS career and/or among the least enjoyable aspects of being in academics, were the potential for a higher income in private practice. Other reasons for potentially considering leaving an academic OMS career indicated by this study were the lack of institutional red tape as well as independence/being in control, and more family time. It appears that engaging female residents and students by female OMS, better mentorship by (both male and female) academic OMS and increasing the number of female surgeons who can serve as role models, may be beneficial in increasing the number of female OMS interested in an academic career.

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