Creating work environments where people of all genders in gynecologic oncology can thrive: An SGO evidence-based review

Structural Sexism and Cancer Care: The Effects on the Patient and Oncologist

Despite progress toward equity within our broad social context, the domains of gender as a social, cultural, and structural variable continue to exert influence on the delivery of oncology care. Although there have been vast advances in our understanding of the biological underpinnings of cancer and significant improvements in clinical care, disparities in cancer care for all women-including cisgender, transgender, and gender diverse women-persist. Similarly, despite inclusion within the oncology physician workforce, women and gender minorities, particularly those with additional identities under-represented in medicine, still face structural barriers to clinical and academic productivity and career success. In this article, we define and discuss how structural sexism influences both the equitable care of patients with cancer and the oncology workforce and explore the overlapping challenges in both realms. Solutions toward creating environments where patients with cancer of any gender receive optimal care and all physicians can thrive are put forward.

Doubling down on the future of gynecologic oncology: The SGO future of the profession summit report

The original vision of the field of gynecologic oncology was to establish a multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients with gynecologic cancers. Fifty years later, scientific advances have markedly changed the overall practice of gynecologic oncology, but the profession continues to struggle to define its value-financial and otherwise. These issues were examined in full at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Future of the Profession Summit and the purpose of this document is to summarize the discussion, share the group's perceived strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) for gynecologic oncologists, further educate members and others within the patient care team about the unique role of gynecologic oncologists, and plan future steps in the short- and long- term to preserve the subspecialty's critical mission of providing comprehensive, longitudinal care for people with gynecologic cancers.

The surgical gender gap: the impact of surgeon gender in medicine and gynecologic surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to summarize the current literature evaluating the effect of surgeon gender on patient outcomes and satisfaction, and the impact of gender bias on female surgeons.

RECENT FINDINGS

The proportion of female physicians has increased in recent years, especially in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Recent literature assessing this impact supports equivalent or superior medical and surgical outcomes for women surgeons and physicians. It also reveals superior counseling and communication styles as perceived by patients. However, women in medicine receive lower patient ratings in competence, medical knowledge, and technical skills despite the existing evidence. Additionally, female physicians experience pay inequality, limited advancement opportunities, higher prevalence of microaggressions, and higher rates of burnout.

SUMMARY

Recognition of gender bias is essential to correcting this issue and improving the negative impact it has on female physicians, our patients, and the field of women's health.