Sex Disparities in Operating Room Utilization among Cataract Surgeons: A 10-Year Retrospective Population-Based Analysis

Theme: Cataract surgery*
What: Cataract surgery
Part of: Cataract II: Anterior segment surgery for the cataract surgeon / Cataracte II - Chirurgie du segment antérieur pour le chirurgien spécialiste de la cataracte
When: 6/1/2024, 04:15 PM - 05:45 PM
Where: Room | Salle 801

Abstract

Sex Disparities in Operating Room Utilization among Cataract Surgeons: A 10-Year Retrospective Population-Based Analysis

 

Danielle Solish¹, Marko Popovic MD MPH², Hargun Kaur³, Jim Shenchu Xie³, Karen D’Souza MA⁴, Jasmin Kantarevic PhD⁴, Lyn M. Sibley PhD⁴, Radha P. Kohly MD PhD²

 

 Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada

Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada

Department of Economics, Policy & Research, Ontario Medical Association, Toronto, Canada

 

Abstract:

Purpose: To evaluate sex differences in OR time and case volumes among comprehensive cataract surgeons in Ontario, Canada’s most populated province.

 

Study Design: Retrospective, population-based analysis.

 

Methods: Ontario Health Insurance Plan billing data between 2010 and 2019 were analyzed using the E140 billing code, which covers a single cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation.  Using dates of billing submissions, the number of cataract surgeries per day and number of OR days were extracted. Data were then stratified by surgeon sex and career stage (defined as early: <45, middle: 45-55; and late: >55 years of age).

 

Results:  Between 2010 and 2019, 1.05 million cataract surgeries were performed in Ontario. There was an average of 195 ± 3 comprehensive cataract surgeons per year, of which 39 ± 5 were female. The proportion of females increased from 16.8% of all surgeons in 2010 to 24.4% in 2019. The greatest proportion of male surgeons were in the late phase of their career, whereas the greatest proportion of female surgeons were in the early stage of their career. On average, males had 44.9 + 1.90 OR days per year and females had 32.5 + 1.90 OR days per year, resulting in females averaging 12.45 + 1.90 fewer OR days every year. This OR distribution remained consistent across career stages. The greatest number of OR days per year for both sexes occurred during mid-career. Case volumes per OR day were similar across sexes, but males performed on average 172.7 ± 30.6 more surgeries per year.

 

Conclusions: Despite performing similar case volumes per OR day, female surgeons had less OR time compared to their male counterparts, and this remained consistent across career stages and over the 10-year period. Metrics used to determine OR allocation should be well-defined and transparent.

 

Presenter(s)

Presenting Author: Danielle Solish

Additional Author(s):

Marko Popovic, Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Hargun Kaur, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada

Jim Shenchu Xie, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada

Karen D'Szouza, Department of Economics, Policy & Research, Ontario Medical Association, Toronto, Canada

Jasmin Kantarevic, Department of Economics, Policy & Research, Ontario Medical Association, Toronto, Canada

Lyn Sibley, Department of Economics, Policy & Research, Ontario Medical Association, Toronto, Canada

Radha Kohly, Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

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