Women in Colon and Rectal Surgery Taskforce Survey

Colorectal surgery is a demanding and rewarding field with unique challenges for all surgeons. This IRB-approved survey seeks to explore the experiences of colorectal surgeons specifically after the completion of training, focusing on topics such as caregiving responsibilities, workplace equity, leave policies, and mentorship opportunities. By reflecting on your post-training experiences, your input will help identify areas for improvement and support the development of more equitable and supportive working environments within the specialty. The survey should take approximately 8 minutes to complete.

Participation in this survey is voluntary and anonymous, and the data will be analyzed and shared in aggregate to ensure confidentiality.

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* 1. Which of the following best describes your gender identity?

Female

Male

Non-binary

Prefer not to share

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* 2. What year did you complete your colon and rectal surgery residency?

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* 3. On average, how many days per week do you currently work?

3

4

5

6 or more

Other (please specify)

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* 4. How many days on average are you on call per month?

0-2

3-5

6-8

9 or more

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* 5. How do you feel about your current call volume?

Too little

Just right

Too much

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* 6. What would the projected outcome of a reduced schedule be on your work life integration/balance?

1 Significantly Worse

No Change

5 Significantly Improved

N/A

1 Significantly Worse

No Change

5 Significantly Improved

N/A

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* 7. What barriers exist for implementing your preferred schedule? (Select all that apply)

Lack of institutional policies or support for flexible schedules.

Concerns about financial implications (e.g., reduced income, benefits).

Negative impact on career progression, promotion or leadership opportunities.

Difficulty coordinating with colleagues or ensuring patient continuity of care.

Stigma or perception of reduced commitment among peers or leadership.

Insufficient staffing or resources to accommodate flexible scheduling.

Concerns about maintaining surgical proficiency or case volume requirements.

Lack of role models or mentors who have successfully adopted flexible schedules.

Personal preference for a full-time schedule.

Other (please specify)

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* 8. (Part 1 of 5) What percentage of your patient volume in the past year was dedicated to anorectal/colonoscopy? (Your total for all 5 categories should equal 100%)

0%

50%

100%

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 9. (Part 2 of 5) What percentage of your patient volume in the past year was dedicated to pelvic floor? (Your total for all categories should equal 100%)

0%

50%

100%

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 10. (Part 3 of 5) What percentage of your patient volume in the past year was dedicated to benign abdominal disease (diverticular/IBD)? (Your total for all categories should equal 100%)

0%

50%

100%

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 11. (Part 4 of 5) What percentage of your patient volume in the past year was dedicated to cancer? (Your total for all categories should equal 100%)

0%

50%

100%

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 12. (Part 5 of 5) What percentage of your patient volume in the past year was dedicated to other? (Your total for all categories should equal 100%)

0%

50%

100%

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 13. In your current practice, do you perform more of a particular type of surgery than your partners/colleagues?

Yes

No

I don't know

Not applicable

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* 14. If Yes, what factors influence this focus? (Select all that apply)

Interest in this pathology

Interest in this patient population

Patient driven

Referring provider driven

Practice referral patterns for this pathology

Lifestyle considerations

Ergonomics

My Age

My Gender

Not applicable

Other (please specify)

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* 15. Do you feel that your compensation is equitable compared to colleagues in colorectal surgery within your region?

Yes

No

I Don't Know

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* 16. If you feel your compensation is inequitable, what factors contribute to this? (select all that apply)

Base salary

Paid time off (e.g., lack or insufficient leave policies)

No reduction in RVU requirement during periods of leave (e.g., medical, parental, or personal leave)

Insufficient financial support for reproductive health services

Lack of FTE adjustment for administrative or educational responsibilities

Government service

Other (please specify)

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* 17. To what extent have institutional colleagues supported or sponsored your career development

1 Never

2 Rarely

3 Sometimes

4 Often

5 Always

N/A

1 Never

2 Rarely

3 Sometimes

4 Often

5 Always

N/A

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* 18. What gender are the colleagues most helpful to you regarding your support and/or sponsorship?

Mostly the same

Mostly different

A mix of genders

Prefer not to answer

I had no help

Not applicable

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* 19. Do you feel you have the same opportunities to lead and/or grow in your position as your colleagues?

I have more opportunities

I have about the same number of opportunities

I have fewer opportunities

I don't know

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* 20. Do you currently have mentorship from senior professionals in your field?

Yes

No

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* 21. Do you currently have sponsorship from senior professionals in your field?

Yes

No

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* 22. Are your current mentors/sponsors the same as your identified gender?

Mostly the same

Mostly different

A mix of genders

Prefer not to answer

I had no help

Not applicable

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* 23. If applicable, how well did your institution or department leadership support you or your colleagues during leave?

1 Not supportive

2

3

4

5 Very supportive

Not applicable

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* 24. If applicable, was there a leave policy in place?

Yes

No

Not applicable

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* 25. Did your professional relationships change after returning from leave, either in the short term (less than 6 months) or long term (greater than 6 months)?"

Yes, in the short term

Yes, in the long term

Yes, both in the short term and long term

No

Not sure

Not applicable

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* 26. Has your surgical training and/or practice influenced family planning?

Yes

No

Unsure

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* 27. What challenges have you encountered related to family planning, parental leave, caregiving responsibilities, or sick leave? (Check all that apply)

Lack of a formal family or sick leave policy

Inadequate duration of family or sick leave

No reduction in workload or RVU requirements during or after leave

Difficulty coordinating coverage during leave

Lack of partners willing to cover

Concerns about burdening others

Limited financial support

Lack of flexibility in scheduling for caregiving or personal health needs

Negative perceptions or stigma from colleagues or leadership

Impact on career progression or leadership opportunities

Insufficient accommodations for recurring or chronic health needs

None

Not applicable

Other (please specify)

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* 28. How frequently have you witnessed preferential treatment given to colleagues based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics in the past year?

1 (Never)

2

3

4

5 (Very frequently)

N/A

1 (Never)

2

3

4

5 (Very frequently)

N/A

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* 29. Have you experienced unwarranted critical assessments unrelated to clinical performance? (e.g., being reported by nursing or OR staff, unfavorable perceptions, being labeled as 'difficult')

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

Always

I Don't Know

Not applicable

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* 30. Have you experienced reputational harm unrelated to clinical performance?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

Always

I Don't Know

Not applicable

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* 31. If you are willing to participate in follow-up questions to discuss your experiences and perspectives shared in this survey please provide your contact information below.

Note: Your responses will remain confidential, and participation in follow-up is entirely voluntary.

Name:

eMail:

Phone: (optional)

Any additional comments you would like to add (optional):

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