Do you want to be a urologist?Gender differences for medical student perception of urology

INTRODUCTION: Gender inequality has been prevalent in the history of medicine, specifically within surgical specialties. Though there have been advances, urology has remained overwhelmingly male -dominant, with slow growth in female recruitment. This survey study evaluated whether gender -related differences in the perception of urology are present among future applicants that could account for gender disparity seen in recruitment. METHODS: An anonymized, online survey was distributed to medical students enrolled at the Max Rady College of Medicine during the 2022-2023 semester. Attracting and deterring survey statements were created using current literature to guide topics of interest. Participants rated each statement using a five -point Likert scale with optional supplemental qualitative responses. Likert ratings were compared using a Mann -U -Whitney calculation between selfidentifying male and female participants. RESULTS: We received 90 responses over six weeks, achieving a response rate of 23%. Female students, compared to their male peers, were deterred by factors such as working in a male -dominated specialty (p<0.001) and working with primarily male patients (p<0.001). There were no significant gender -related differences for statements pertaining to interest in surgery, work -life balance, or exposure to urology. CONCLUSIONS: In this survey study, the biggest deterrents reported by female medical students to entering urology were working in a male -dominated profession and seeing primarily male patients. There were no significant gender -related differences for questions relating to interest in surgery, work -life balance, and exposure to urology.