Perceived gender differences among physicians : perspectives from anesthesia and intensive care team members and colleagues – a national cross-sectional survey

Position du problème et objectif(s) de l’étude

In recent years, disparities between male and female physicians regarding perceived legitimacy, self-confidence, and leadership have been increasingly acknowledged, including in anesthesia and intensive care (AIC). However, little is known about how these differences are perceived by healthcare teams. This study aimed to explore perceptions of physicians according to gender, as viewed by colleagues and team members in the AIC environment.

Matériel et méthodes

We conducted a national, cross-sectional, observational study. An anonymous 19-item questionnaire was developed, with three response options: male physicians, female physicians, or no preference. The survey was created using Google Forms and distributed between February and May 2025 to ICU nurses, nurse anesthetists, ICU nursing assistants, surgeons, and physiotherapists practicing in French healthcare facilities. Dissemination occurred via social media, email, and professional societies (AJAR and SFAR). Categorical variables were described using frequencies and percentages. Associations were tested using Chi-square.

Résultats & Discussion

In this preliminary analysis, a total of 541 responses were analyzed. Most respondents were ICU nurses (30.1%) and nurse anesthetists (31.9%), with a female majority (66.9%) and a mean age of 40±9.1 years. Overall, 68% of responses were non-gendered (p<0.001). Among the 32% that were gendered, 18.9% came from female respondents and 13.1% from male respondents (p<0.001). Among gendered responses, distinct patterns emerged: male physicians were more often associated with leadership (21.1% vs. 6.1%) and fostering a friendly working atmosphere (18.9% vs. 6.7%), while female physicians were more frequently linked to greater involvement (27.2% vs. 2.4%), higher stress levels (30.9% vs. 5.5%), attentiveness to patients and families (32.7% vs. 1.1%), and consideration of colleagues’ opinions (14.4% vs. 5.5%). Significant differences were observed between male and female respondents in perceptions of effectiveness (each gender tended to choose physicians of their own gender; p=0.002), leadership (men more often selected “no preference”, while women gave more gendered responses; p=0.019), involvement (men tended to select “no preference”, while women favored female physicians; p<0.010), stress level (men leaned toward “no preference”, while women associated it more with male physicians; p=0.016), and attentiveness to patients and families (men chose “no preference”, while women more frequently selected female physicians; p=0.006). Age also played a role: respondents under 40 more frequently associated leadership with male physicians (p=0.018), expressed preferences for male physicians (p=0.046), linked them to a friendlier atmosphere (p<0.001), and associated female physicians with higher stress levels (p=0.034), whereas older respondents predominantly chose “no preference.”

Conclusion

While neutrality prevailed in most responses, certain perceptions regarding physician gender persist and vary by the respondent’s gender and age. Recognizing and reflecting on these perceptions may support more inclusive team dynamics and contribute to a respectful and equitable work environment for all physicians.

Auteurs

Domitille RENARD (1) , Enora ATCHADE (2), Camille MOLKHOU (1), Lucien MONOD (1), Jean-Marie RENARD (3), Vincent COMPERE (1), Thomas CLAVIER (1), Emilie OCCHIALI (1) - (1)Department Of Anesthesiology And Critical Care, Chu Rouen, F-76000 Rouen, France, Rouen, France, (2)Dmu Parabol, Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital, Ap-Hp, 75018 Paris, France., Paris, France, (3)Ea2694 University Lille 2-France, Lille, France

Orateur(s)

Domitille RENARD (Rouen)