[Female Physicians in the German Society of Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgery (DGPRÄC): Demographic Data in the Context of the Literature].

Although the proportion of female medical students in Germany has been steadily increasing and now exceeds 60%, women still account for less than 25% of surgeons. In the field of plastic surgery in Germany, the proportion of female practitioners is above the national medical average; however, their representation in leadership positions remains low. We aimed to assess whether the DGPRÄC provides a sufficient representation of female members at all stages of training and whether there are enough "role models" in leadership positions to support the promotion of female members. This is essential to ensure the future viability of plastic surgery, especially in light of the ongoing generational change.This study aims to analyse the distribution of female physicians within the Society of German Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (DGPRÄC) based on their training level as well as their personal and professional backgrounds.A total of 24% of the registered female DGPRÄC members participated in the survey, with an average age of 41 years. The professional distribution was as follows: 29% of participants worked as residents, 19% as specialists, 4% as functional and 18% as senior consultants, 6% as managing senior consultants, 5% as chief physicians, and 18% as independent specialists. The majority of participants worked in clinical settings, with over two-thirds employed in university hospitals or maximum-care facilities. Approximately two-thirds of respondents worked full-time. Overall, 50% of participants reported having children, with most becoming parents during residency. Regarding work distribution after childbirth, 43% of mothers continued to work full-time.The results underscore the need to improve professional development and work-family balance for women at all career stages. A female network within the DGPRÄC can strengthen the promotion of women at all career stages and support the generational shift as well as the creation of "role models" through targeted strategies, thereby ensuring the future viability of plastic surgery.