Gender Disparities in Reimbursement Among Dermatologists and Dermatologic Surgeons

Abstract

Previous literature supports a disparity in income between male and female physicians across multiple specialties, even when controlling for variables such as working hours, maternity leave, and productivity. To understand if income disparity exists between male and female general dermatologists (GDs), and in dermatologists who completed a dermatologic surgical fellowship. The authors surveyed members of the American Academy of Dermatology, including 66 dermatologic surgeons (DSs) (34 male and 32 female DSs) and 252 GDs (119 male and 133 female GDs), on questions related to total annual income, demographics, current employment, and time spent providing patient care. A logarithmic ordinal regression model was used to analyze income and the effect of different variables. Male GDs were 2.46 times more likely than female GDs to be in a higher income category (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44-4.23). There was no significant difference between the incomes of male and female DSs (male-to-female odds ratio: 1.46, CI: -0.44 to 1.23). These findings did not change when variables of age, median patient visits, and hours worked were controlled for. Income gender inequality exists among GDs. However, this inequality does not seem to extend to DSs.