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INTRODUCTION: Gender discrimination seems more prevalent in surgery than other medical specialties. In addition, female urologists are more likely to have obstetric complications and to be discouraged from starting a family during training. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of perceived gender discrimination and barriers for pregnancy during fellowship, among French urology residents and fellows. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The French Association of Urologists in Training performed a national online survey between August and September 2022. Participants were assured that their participation was anonymous. Respondents were questioned on demographics, gender discrimination and on pregnancy barriers during fellowship. RESULTS: In total, 153 members answered the questionnaire out of the 427 members of the association (36%), among which 75 women (49%). Thirty nine percent of the female respondents found that their gender was a barrier in their career advancement, versus 1% of the male (P<0.0001). Forty female respondents (53%) perceived that female urologists earned less respect than their male counterparts versus 22% of the male (P<0.0001). Among the female respondents, 19 (25%) have felt that it would not be possible to become pregnant at the time they would have wanted it and 7 (9%) reported having already been threatened to lose a fellowship position in case of a pregnancy. CONCLUSION: This survey found a high prevalence of gender discrimination among French urologists in training, perceived in majority by women. Female urologists perceived obstacles and received threats when wanting to become pregnant during their training.
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OBJECTIVE: To assess the current knowledge of French urology residents and fellows about neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction and their management in patients with spina bifida. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A 7-question questionnaire, covering the responder's experience and the various stages in the neuro-urological management of spina bifida, was drafted by an expert urologist. Responses were collected within 5days of being e-mailed to members of the Association française des urologues en formation (AFUF), and a descriptive analysis was carried out. RESULTS: Of the 448 members, 155 completed the questionnaire. Of the participants, 83.8% said they knew the definition of spina bifida, and 76.8% had already had to care for a spina bifida patient. Of the participants, 48.4% correctly estimated the number of spina bifida patients in France. Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction to look for and the specificities of management seemed to have been acquired by a majority of respondents (correct response rates of 70.7% and 75.4%, respectively), unlike the extra-urological aspects (53.9%), and the choice of examinations useful for the initial work-up and follow-up (55.8%). CONCLUSION: While the expected neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction and the specificities of therapeutic management of spina bifida patients appear to be well known to urologists in training, knowledge of extra-urological symptoms and the choice of examinations could be improved. These results could be used to adjust the teaching given to French urologists in training on the urological management of spina bifida patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Grade 4.
