1
|
Gender Disparity in Academic Gastroenterology: Beginning of the End of the Underrepresentation of Women? Dig Dis Sci 2022; 67:380-387. [PMID: 33141389 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-020-06692-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Though there are an increasing number of female medical graduates, women remain underrepresented in academic medicine. There have been several reasons to explain this gender disparity, including marital status, number of children, number of hours worked, job flexibility, perceptions of women as inferior leaders, gender bias, sexual harassment, and unsupportive academic climates. AIMS This study aimed to investigate the relationship between scholarly productivity and the representation of female gastroenterologists in academia. Specifically, scholarly productivity measured by the h-index and academic rank were explored to determine if there were gender disparities in academic productivity and rank in gastroenterology. METHODS Gastroenterology departmental listings were obtained from the Fellowship and Residency Interactive Database of the American Medical Association. The Scopus database was used to record each physician's h-index. Statistical analyses were conducted with Wilcoxon rank-sum test, which compared matched samples by academic rank, and ANOVA tests, which compared multiple academic ranks. RESULTS Out of 1703 academic gastroenterologists, women account for 25% of academic physicians. Women have statistically lower h-indices at the level of Assistant Professor (p = 0.0012), and at the level of Chair (p = 0.01). There was no difference in h-indices between male and female at the rank of Associate Professor and Professor. CONCLUSIONS While these results mirror patterns appreciated in other fields of medicine, the results at the rank of Chair may suggest that despite the lower h-index compared to their male counterparts, females are perceived as having strong inherent leadership skills outside of academic productivity that are also conducive to leading a department and may be contributing to their rise to Chair.
Collapse
|
2
|
Khan Z, Rukhshan R, Bhatt A, Guha S, Ramireddy S, Patil P, Badillo R, DaVee RT, Thosani N. (#WomeninDDW) Persistent Speaker Gender Gap at the Premier Digestive Disease Event. Dig Dis Sci 2022; 67:390-396. [PMID: 35094252 PMCID: PMC8800828 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-021-07366-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the last few decades, advances have been made regarding gender equality starting from medical students to trainees, to leadership in academics. The female representation in specialty academic conferences not only reflects the existing gender disparities in that specialty but also can influence young female trainees to join that field. Digestive Disease Week (DDW) is the premier digestive disease event. We aimed to calculate the proportion of female representation among speakers and moderators at the DDW meetings held from 2018 to 2020. METHODS The data for DDW 2018-2020 were collected via the online web-based planner. The gender of speakers of presentations and moderators of sessions were identified by a google search. We further categorized the data by each participating society (AGA, ASGE, AASLD, and SSAT), by presentation track, by session track, and total overall representation in each year. RESULTS Despite the subject of the gender gap being in focus, the proportion of female moderators and speakers was low in DDW in the last 3 years. The female speakers constituted 31.6% in 2018, 33.8% in 2019 and 34.6% in 2020. There was slightly improved female representation in sessions of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Stomach, and Small Bowel Disorders, Microbiome in GI & Liver disease, and Basic Science over the last 3 years. CONCLUSION Based on our study and those referenced in this article, we believe that strategies to promote the inclusivity of female moderators and speakers at DDW provide a huge opportunity to influence gender equity within GI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zubair Khan
- Interventional Gastroenterology at the University of Texas (iGUT), McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6400 Fannin, Suite 1400, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Rabia Rukhshan
- Interventional Gastroenterology at the University of Texas (iGUT), McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6400 Fannin, Suite 1400, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Asmeen Bhatt
- Interventional Gastroenterology at the University of Texas (iGUT), McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6400 Fannin, Suite 1400, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Sushovan Guha
- Interventional Gastroenterology at the University of Texas (iGUT), McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6400 Fannin, Suite 1400, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Srinivas Ramireddy
- Interventional Gastroenterology at the University of Texas (iGUT), McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6400 Fannin, Suite 1400, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Prithvi Patil
- Interventional Gastroenterology at the University of Texas (iGUT), McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6400 Fannin, Suite 1400, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Ricardo Badillo
- Interventional Gastroenterology at the University of Texas (iGUT), McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6400 Fannin, Suite 1400, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Roy Tomas DaVee
- Interventional Gastroenterology at the University of Texas (iGUT), McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6400 Fannin, Suite 1400, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Nirav Thosani
- Interventional Gastroenterology at the University of Texas (iGUT), McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 6400 Fannin, Suite 1400, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jawaid N, LoMonaco J, Bollegala N. The Under-representation of Canadian Women in Gastroenterology from Residency to Leadership. J Can Assoc Gastroenterol 2021; 4:251-256. [PMID: 34877463 PMCID: PMC8643676 DOI: 10.1093/jcag/gwab020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To determine representation of women in gastroenterology (GI) at residency and leadership levels in Canada. Methods The Canadian Resident Matching Service provided data for internal medicine (IM), general surgery (GS), GI and cardiology applicant cycles 2014 to 2018. Z-tests were used to compare proportion of women entering each residency program. An internet search was conducted to calculate percentages of women as GI association presidents, residency program directors, division heads and oral speakers at conferences. Results IM residency had on average of 1789 applicants with 487 matched (49.4% versus 49.5% women). GS residency had on average 357 applicants with 90 matched (41% versus 54.4% women). GI residency had on average 46 applicants with 34 matched (37% versus 35.3% women). Cardiology residency had on average 76 applicants with 54 matched (29% versus 27.8% women). The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG) has had two out of 47 (4.2%) women presidents. The Ontario Association of Gastroenterology (OAG) has had no women presidents (0/9). The Association des gastro-entérologues du Québec (AGEQ) has had two out of 15 (13%) women presidents. The Alberta Society of Gastroenterology (ASG) has had one out of five (20%) women presidents. From 2018 to 2020, university division heads ranged from 0% to 13.3% women (0 to 2/15). University GI training program directors ranged from 28.6% to 35.7% (4 to 5/14). Women speakers at CAG’s annual conference varied 27% to 42% from 2016 to 2020, averaging 32.7%. Women speakers at OAG’s, AGEQ’s and ASG’s annual conferences averaged 23.3%, 24.1% and 35%, respectively. Conclusion Women gastroenterologists display low representation at multiple levels along the GI career pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noor Jawaid
- Gastroenterology Residency Training Program, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Correspondence: Noor Jawaid, MD, FRCPC, Gastroenterology Residency Training Program, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, 2116–386 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2H3, Canada, e-mail:
| | | | - Natasha Bollegala
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Calderwood AH, Roberts JA, Silver JK, Schmitt CM, Enestvedt BK. Representation by Gender of Recognition Award Recipients from Gastroenterology and Hepatology Professional Societies. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2021; 30:1508-1518. [PMID: 33434440 PMCID: PMC8590150 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2020.8627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Recognition awards from professional medical societies play an important role in physicians' career advancement. Our aim was to evaluate the gender representation of award recipients from gastroenterology and hepatology societies. Methods: We analyzed the lists of award recipients from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and determined the gender of these award recipients. The primary outcome was the overall representation of women physician award recipients as compared with the representation of women in the specialty. Results: Between 1941 and 2019, there were 921 awards, of which 77 (8.4%) were given to women and 844 (91.6%) to men. There was a significant increase in the proportion of women recipients over time, from 0% in 1970-1984 to 22.0% in 2015-2019 (p for trend <0.0001). Compared with the concurrent representation of women in the specialty, women physician recipients were underrepresented from 1970 to 1981 and 1984 to 2015, equitably represented from 1981 to 1984, and overrepresented from 2015 to 2019. Of the total number of awards in each category, women received 13.8% of teaching/mentorship awards and 3.8% of the highest achievement awards (p = 0.002). The proportion of women recipients varied among the societies, from 6.8% to 14.5%. Conclusions: The representation of women physician recipients of gastroenterology and hepatology society recognition awards has generally been low until most recently, when it has surpassed the proportion of women in the specialty. Because award recognition is important to career development, professional societies should have transparent processes that aim to identify and reduce various forms of bias, including gender-related bias, in all phases of award recognition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Audrey H. Calderwood
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dartmouth–Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
- Department of Medicine, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Jane A. Roberts
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dartmouth–Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Julie K. Silver
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Brintha K. Enestvedt
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jamorabo DS, Chen R, Gurm H, Jahangir M, Briggs WM, Mohanty SR, Renelus BD. Women remain underrepresented in leadership positions in academic gastroenterology throughout the United States. Ann Gastroenterol 2021; 34:316-322. [PMID: 33948055 PMCID: PMC8079863 DOI: 10.20524/aog.2021.0597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Publication history is a key factor in securing academic promotion, but historical underrepresentation of women in gastroenterology may be an ongoing obstacle to achieving gender parity in leadership positions. Methods We carried out a cross-sectional study of gastroenterology programs in the United States, with data including faculty and trainee names, leadership positions, Hirsch indices, and year of first gastroenterology certification gathered from 1 February 2020 to 1 March 2020. Our outcomes of interest were: 1) sex representation in various leadership positions in academic gastroenterology departments; and 2) mean difference in Hirsch indices between men and women, for which we used univariate and multivariate regression models. Results Our cohort included 3655 faculty members and trainees across 163 academic gastroenterology programs in the United States. Women comprised 28.7% (1049/3655) of the cohort, including 713/2657 (26.8%) of faculty and 56/289 (19.4%) of all fellowship program directors and divisional/departmental chairs and chiefs. Male faculty had higher mean Hirsch indices compared to women (11.4 vs. 5.5, P<0.001), and when adjusted for year of first gastroenterology certification, men had a larger Hirsch index by 2.8 (95% confidence interval 1.3-4.1, P<0.001). Women were also underrepresented in various subspecialties of gastroenterology, particularly advanced endoscopy. Conclusions Women in academic gastroenterology remain underrepresented in leadership positions and have lower Hirsch indices than men. Our findings may stem not only from differences in mentorship and career goals, but also from underlying structural factors that disadvantage women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S Jamorabo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook, NY (Daniel S. Jamorabo)
| | - Richy Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY (Richy Chen, Smruti R. Mohanty)
| | - Hashroop Gurm
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, OK (Hashroop Gurm)
| | - Muntasir Jahangir
- Department of Internal Medicine, Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX (Muntasir Jahangir)
| | - William M Briggs
- Department of Biostatistics, New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY (William M. Briggs)
| | - Smruti R Mohanty
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY (Richy Chen, Smruti R. Mohanty)
| | - Benjamin D Renelus
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA (Benjamin D. Renelus), USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gender dynamics in education and practice of gastroenterology. Gastrointest Endosc 2021; 93:1047-1056.e5. [PMID: 32858002 DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2020.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS With an increasing number of women joining procedural fields, including gastroenterology, optimizing the work environment for learning, teaching, and clinical practice is essential to the well-being of both physicians and their patients. We queried female and male gastroenterologists on their beliefs toward the endoscopy suite environment, as well as their experiences in learning and teaching endoscopic skills. METHODS We distributed a web-based survey to 403 gastroenterology fellows and practicing gastroenterologists at 12 academic institutions and 3 large private practices. We used univariate and multivariate analysis to compare the responses of female and male gastroenterologists. RESULTS The overall response rate was 32% (n = 130); 54 women and 61 men completed the survey in its entirety and were included in the analysis (15 respondents did not meet the inclusion criteria). Baseline demographics were comparable between the groups. Overall, fewer women than men were trained using tactile instruction (41% vs 67%; P = .004). Of those trained using tactile instruction, 60.3%, with no gender differences, felt it was also important for endoscopic learning. More women reported experiencing gender bias toward themselves during training (57.4% vs 13.1%; P = .001) as well as in their current careers (50.0% vs 9.8%; P = .001). When queried on treatment of gastroenterologists by endoscopy staff, 75.9% of women reported that men were treated more favorably, whereas 70.5% of men felt that both male and female gastroenterologists were treated equally. CONCLUSIONS Inequities exist with regard to the experience of men and women in gastroenterology, and specific challenges for women may have an impact on their career choices and ability to safely and effectively learn, teach, and practice endoscopy.
Collapse
|
7
|
Bushyhead D, Strate LL. Sex Differences in Authorship of Major Gastroenterology Society Guidelines and Technical Reviews. Dig Dis Sci 2020; 65:2225-2228. [PMID: 31919638 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-019-06040-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To analyze the proportion of gastroenterology society guidelines and technical reviews with female authors. METHODS Retrospective study of the sex of authors of American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD), American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) and American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) guidelines and technical reviews. RESULTS Between 2007 and 2019, 21% of authors of AASLD, ACG and AGA guidelines, and technical reviews were female. Eighteen percent of first authors were female. There was a statistically significant increase in female authorship over the past 10 years only for AASLD guidelines. CONCLUSIONS There were fewer female authors of AASLD, ACG and AGA guidelines, and technical reviews than males. This disparity decreased over time only in AASLD guidelines. Addressing disparities in guideline and technical review authorship may promote academic advancement for female gastroenterologists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Bushyhead
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Lisa L Strate
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Enestvedt BK, Diamond S, Laird A, Rodriguez SA. A gender comparison of motivations for seeking leadership positions among gastroenterologists. Gastrointest Endosc 2020; 91:26-32.e5. [PMID: 31525361 DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2019.08.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS A gender gap exists in leadership positions in gastroenterology. However, individual motivations for seeking leadership positions within the gastroenterology community among men and women have not been explored. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether motivations for pursuing and attaining leadership positions in gastroenterology differ by gender. METHODS A 20-question survey was created by the authors and shared with gastroenterologists electronically via a social media group (Facebook) and emails gathered through publicly available society websites and professional and social contacts. Data gathered from the survey included demographics, practice characteristics, presence of spouse or domestic partner, past and present leadership positions, motivations for pursuit of leadership positions, and reasons for lack of desire for a leadership position. RESULTS The survey was sent to 981 gastroenterologists (679 women, 302 men). The overall response rate was 21.4% (n = 210) (20.9% for women, 22.5% for men). Overall, 41% of respondents (84 of 206) currently hold a leadership position, including more males than females (52% vs 36%, respectively; P = .03). However, among those who completed their training in the past 5 years, more women than men hold a current leadership role (25% vs 6%; P = .11). Other factors associated with currently holding a leadership position included age and years since completion of training, practice type, full-time status, and having a spouse who is not a physician. The positive factors of leadership cited most frequently were (1) ability to effect change, (2) furthering the goals of the organization, and (3) opportunity for career advancement. The negative factors cited most frequently were increased workload and decreased time for personal life. These reported positive and negative factors were similar for male and female respondents. Forty-nine respondents did not desire a leadership position now or in the future. The most common reason cited was lack of interest in the responsibilities, long hours, or stress that accompanies a leadership position (22 of 42, 52%). The second most common reason was that respondents were too busy at home or work to take on the extra responsibilities. CONCLUSIONS A gender gap in gastroenterology leadership exists but is closing. There is fairly equal representation of men and women in leadership positions among those who completed training in the last 5 years. Many gastroenterologists are motivated for a leadership position and at the same time, many qualified individuals do not desire a leadership position because of factors that affect work-life balance. Ongoing efforts to engage motivated individuals into leadership positions and to revise the nature of leadership positions may allow for a larger talent pool from which to recruit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brintha K Enestvedt
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Sarah Diamond
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Amy Laird
- Department of Biostatistics & Design Program, OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Sarah A Rodriguez
- Gastroenterology & Hepatology, The Oregon Clinic West, Portland, Oregon, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Addressing gender in gastroenterology: opportunities for change. Gastrointest Endosc 2020; 91:155-161. [PMID: 31499044 DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2019.08.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|