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

Background Despite increasing gender parity in medical school enrollment, 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 [32–49] years. Job satisfaction was moderate (3.5/5). 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 carrier 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.