Attractiveness and gender dynamics in surgical specialties: A comparative analysis of French medical graduates (2017-2022)

Abstract

Abstract Background: This study aims to describe the attractiveness of surgical specialties and the evolution of the male-female distribution among French medical graduates (FMG) from 2017 to 2022. Methods: Our database included the candidates’ ranking, sex and choice of specialty from 2017 to 2022. It included all French medical graduates from 2017 to 2022 and all French medical schools. A linear regression was performed to predict future trends. Dependent variables were median and mean rankings and the percentage of women. The independent variable was year of application. A Pearson correlation was performed to examine any relationship with mean workweek. Results: A total number of 5,270 residents chose a surgical programme between 2017 and 2022. The number of residents who were assigned their desired surgical programme held stable at 878±10 surgical residents per year. Plastic and reconstructive surgery remained the most frequently chosen surgical programme. Thoracic and cardiovascular surgery was the least frequently chosen surgical programme between 2017 and 2022. The mean ranking for a candidate choosing a surgical programme rose significantly by 9% from 2017 to 2022 (p<0.01). Neurosurgery exhibited the greatest fall as a surgical specialty as its rankings increased by 163.66% (p=0.003). Maxillo-facial surgery was the only specialty with a statistically significant fall in its ranking by -35.82% (p=0.03). The overall proportion of women was 51.13%. Obstetrics-and-gynaecology was the highest represented specialty among female candidates, being composed of 83.88% of women on average. Orthopaedic surgery was the lowest represented, being composed of 28.65% of women on average. The number of female surgical residents increased significantly over the six-year period, by 7.6% (p<0.01). Conclusions:More and more medical school graduates decide not to choose surgery for their residency programme. Some specialties continue to be attractive while many are losing their appeal. While there does appear to be progress towards gender equity, further investigation is necessary to assess its actual implementation.