Percepción de brechas de género en los servicios de urgencias y emergencias en España

Résumé

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE. Health science professions in general and those related to urgent and emergency care have progressively employed an increasing number of women. The aim of this study was to detect the perception of gender bias among the various professionals working in emergency care in Spain. MATHERIAL AND METHODS. Online survey of physicians, nurses, and other responders working in Spanish urgent and emergency care services. The survey collected responses between March 2019 and March 2022. A variable termed “problem awareness” referred to any inequality the participants believed created a gender gap they could sense in their workplace, delivery of care, or career advancement. RESULTS. A total of 886 surveys were returned; 62.4% of the respondents perceived situations in which a gender gap existed. The percentage was higher in women, at 64.3% (P < .001). Detection of inequality was 2-fold more likely in women, 3.5-fold more likely in respondents between the ages of 25 and 34 years, and 2-fold more likely in those who had at least 1 child under their care. CONCLUSION. This study of gender bias perception reveals a need to address in urgent and emergency care. The findings have implications for human resources and health systems management.