Peer-reviewed article
Enablers and Barriers Among Women Ophthalmologists: A National Cross-Sectional Survey in Saudi Arabia.
Aldairi WA, AlHajri HM, Alhithlool AW, Zakaria OM ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This peer-reviewed study surveyed 55 female ophthalmologists in Saudi Arabia about their work-life balance, psychological wellbeing, and workplace experiences. The research found that strong family support and spousal understanding were major enablers, while psychological unrest, workplace discrimination, and disproportionate childcare responsibility were significant barriers. Most participants experienced their first birth during ophthalmology residency, and they reported higher happiness at home than at work.
Key points
- 94.5% of female ophthalmologists reported strong family support as an enabler
- 83.6% experienced disproportionate childcare responsibility as a barrier
- 58.2% experienced psychological unrest and 49.1% reported workplace discrimination
- 72.7% reported satisfactory work-life balance despite significant barriers
- 61.8% experienced their first birth during ophthalmology residency training
Limitations
This study examines adult women's professional experiences rather than child well-being outcomes. The research does not evaluate any intervention or its impact on children's health or development.
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the self-perceived enablers and barriers among female ophthalmologists practising in health centres nationwide across Saudi Arabia. It also reviews their work-life balance, psychological wellbeing, experience of workplace discrimination, maternity-related challenges, and the personal and institutional factors that facilitate or hinder their professional and maternal roles. Patients and methods A cross-sectional, face-to-face survey was conducted among female ophthalmologists practising in health centres nationwide across Saudi Arabia over an eight-month period (October 2023 - June 2024). Participants were interviewed using a structured, piloted, and back-translated questionnaire. Self-perceived work-life balance (WLB), psychological wellbeing, happiness at home and at the workplace, experience of workplace discrimination, maternity-related challenges, and personal and institutional facilitating and impeding factors were assessed. Associations between WLB and demographic, family-related, and workplace variables were explored using non-parametric statistical tests. Results Fifty-five female ophthalmologists were enrolled in the study. Key enablers included strong family support (94.5%), spousal understanding (78.2%), and satisfactory WLB in 40 participants (72.7%). The predominant barriers were psychological unrest in 32 participants (58.2%), workplace discrimination in 27 (49.1%), and disproportionate childcare responsibility in 46 (83.6%). Median happiness scores were higher at home (9.0; IQR 8-9) than at the workplace (8.0; IQR 7-8). Most participants (61.8%) experienced their first birth during ophthalmology residency. The principal institutional barriers were workplace inflexibility (38.2%) and children's demands on maternal time (83.6%). No statistically significant associations were identified between WLB and age, number of children, or spouse's occupation (all P>0.05). Conclusion Female ophthalmologists in health centres nationwide across Saudi Arabia navigate a dual reality of meaningful enablers - including strong family networks, high WLB satisfaction, and effective personal coping strategies - alongside significant barriers, most notably psychological unrest, workplace discrimination, and institutional inflexibility. Targeted institutional and policy-level interventions are urgently needed to strengthen the enablers while systematically reducing the barriers faced by this workforce.