J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2022 Aug;33(4):11-19.

Exploring sex differences in Korean emergency physicians using nationwide survey

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Wonju, Korea
  • 2Department of Medical Education, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
  • 3Department of Emergency Medicine, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea
  • 4Department of Emergency Medicine, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
  • 5Department of Emergency Medicine, Myongji Hospital, Goyang, Korea
  • 6Department of Emergency Medicine, KS Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
  • 7Department of Emergency Medicine, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
  • 8Department of Emergency Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Korea
  • 9Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
  • 10The Institute for Medical Humanities, Inje University, Busan, Korea
  • 11Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
  • 12Department of Emergency Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
  • 13Department of Emergency Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Changwon, Korea
  • 14Department of Emergency Medicine, Nowon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
  • 15Department of Emergency Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
  • 16Department of Emergency Medicine, Yeosu Jeonnam Hospital, Yeosu, Korea
  • 17Department of Emergency Medicine, Hwahong Hospital, Suwon, Korea
  • 18Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea

Abstract


Objective
In this study, we compared differences based on the gender of Korean emergency physicians to provide basic data for future emergency medicine development plans.
Methods
We used data from the emergency physician survey (2020) conducted by the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine. A total of 1,303 emergency physicians responded to the survey. We adjusted demographic data relating to age, position, and work duration as an emergency physician, which could affect the differences based on gender. After propensity score matching, we compared working hours, work burden, income, motives for applying for emergency medicine, and future plans of the emergency physicians by sex.
Results
The total working hours per month and night shifts per month were higher in men compared to the women. The women felt more pressure in the following areas: number of emergency patients, relationships with administrative agencies, insufficient emergency medical technician manpower, patients’ compliance, and relationships with other emergency physicians. Monthly income was higher in men. Women placed a higher value on ‘Acquiring a range of knowledge’ and ‘Degree of interest in working in the emergency room’ than men as motivation for applying for positions in emergency medicine. Regarding future plans, women placed less value on income and more on having enough free time and avoiding burnout. The retirement age was about 3 years lower for women than for men.
Conclusion
This study revealed gender differences in working hours, income, motivation for applying for emergency medicine, work burden, and future plans. It is expected that these differences are caused by physical limitations and socio-cultural backgrounds. It is recommended that more detailed investigations be carried out through qualitative research. These results could help in gender considerations while hiring emergency physicians.

Keyword

Emergency medicine; Republic of Korea; Sex differences; Sex characteristics; Female
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