Exploring gender differences in Physiotherapy research in Italy: a cross-sectional analysis.
Martina Putzolu, Simone Gambazza, Greta Castellini and 2 others
Among 102 Italian physiotherapists with PhDs, overall research output (H-index, career publications, awards) showed no gender gap, but males reported higher job satisfaction and females reported less belief in equal pay and success.
During the PhD period, males published more (median 5 vs 3 papers).
Key findings
1No significant gender difference was found in H-index (p = 0.27), total career publications (p = 0.11), or receipt of awards (p = 0.15).
2Males reported significantly higher satisfaction than females across job content (83% vs 58%), job services (66% vs 19%), career advancement (55% vs 19%), international mobility (55% vs 23%), and overall satisfaction (90% vs 58%).
3During the PhD period specifically, males published a significantly higher number of papers (median 5, range 0–46) than females (median 3, range 0–21), p = 0.02; however, in the adjusted model the gender difference was not significant (p = 0.16).
Still to come
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
Small sample (102 respondents) from a single country and a single profession, limiting generalisability. All analyses were post hoc with no prespecified statistical plan, so findings are hypothesis-generating, not confirmatory. Data are self-reported via a single online questionnaire, introducing recall and social-desirability bias. The invited population had a higher male representation than the broader Italian physiotherapy workforce (58.9% female nationally), so the sample may not reflect the profession as a whole. Many participants were still enrolled in PhD programmes, so performance metrics are provisional and may shift as careers develop. The 61% response rate and 10% mid-survey dropout mean non-responders and dropouts may differ systematically from those included.
Declared interests
The study was funded by AIFI (Associazione Italiana di Fisioterapia, the Italian Physiotherapy Association). One author (MP) received a 'Women in Physiotherapy Science' grant from AIFI to carry out the study. AIFI also provided the SurveyMonkey licence. The authors declare no conflict of interest. AIFI is a professional body, not a commercial vendor of the intervention under study.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the PhD-period publication difference (median 5 vs 3, p = 0.02) as proof that men are more productive researchers. In the adjusted model, which accounts for age at PhD entry and other factors, the gender difference was not significant (p = 0.16). The unadjusted gap likely reflects when people entered the programme and how much time they could dedicate, not an inherent ability difference.
Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →