Female pulmonologists experienced poorer health and reduced quality of life related to their professional activities

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Background Despite increasing gender parity in medical school enrolment, disparities in career progression and physician well-being persist. This study evaluated professional experiences, health status and perceived gender-related barriers among pulmonologists in France. Methods A nationwide, anonymous cross-sectional survey (546-item) was distributed to all French pulmonologists between July 2023 and February 2024. Data included work-related health disorders, career paths and gender perceptions. Gender differences in dissatisfaction and health issues were assessed (chi 2 and Fisher's exact tests). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the impact of gender on career outcomes. Results A total of 586 pulmonologists responded (21% response rate), 57% of whom were women; median age of 38 (interquartile range 32–49) years. Job satisfaction was moderate (mean± sd score of 3.5±1.0, out of 5)). Mental health issues were common. 51.5% reported anxiety, 22.0% burnout, 16.9% depression and over 60% had sleep disturbances. Women reported significantly higher rates of anxiety (58.8% versus 44.2%), burnout (27.9% versus 15.4%) and anxiolytic use (23.0% versus 14.5%) than men. Gender was a limiting factor in career choices (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.41–2.80) and opportunities (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.57–3.15), particularly among female physicians with children. Women were more likely than men to adjust their career plans for family reasons (18% versus 12%) or job offers (67.0% versus 33.1%). In multivariate analyses, gender remained a limiting factor in career choices (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.39–2.90) and opportunities (OR 2.39, 95%CI 1.65–3.48), after adjustment for age, number of children and practice settings. Conclusion This national survey highlights notable gender-based disparities in mental health and career advancement among French pulmonologists.

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