Obstacles and Challenges Facing Iraqi Women Ophthalmologists

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to address disparities between male and female Iraqi ophthalmologists in terms of personal circumstances, professional profiles, and attitudes toward work and family life. METHODS: A Google Form-based questionnaire was released on a social media platform including 500 ophthalmologists between September 1, and December 1, 2021. The survey included three domains: (1) demographic characteristics, (2) clinical practice profile, and (3) career satisfaction and work/family balance. RESULTS: The study included a total of 209 specialists, with a response rate of 45.5%. About 69.4% of them were 45 years and younger. The female-to-male ratio was 1:1.6, 188 (90%) were married and 186 (88.9%) had children. Women ophthalmologists worked fewer hours, days, and operations than male ophthalmologists (P = 0.091). Moreover, women ophthalmologists in private practice were considerably underrepresented. General ophthalmologists represented 77%. The number of women ophthalmologists with subspecialty degrees was far less 9 (11.5%) than males 38 (29.2%), P = 0.003, and they performed significantly fewer operations than male ophthalmologists (P = 0.001). Family duties were the biggest deterrent for female ophthalmologists. For males, the private clinic is an obstacle to acquiring a specialty degree in 45.6%, but for women, it is just 25.7%. Overall satisfaction was 65.1%. Women respondents were less satisfied with their practice (P = 0.009) and thought that they are facing more challenges (0.007). Men believed they had less time to spend with family, implying that women sacrifice working time/income to satisfy family obligations and expectations. Work-life balance is achieved by limiting work hours and including family members. CONCLUSION: Women ophthalmologists in Iraq might be facing greater obstacles to their professional advancement than their male counterparts. Female doctors were working fewer hours and doing fewer surgical procedures, and they were less likely to pursue subspecialty certification.