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Sharma ND, Young KC, Feld LD, Rabinowitz LG. Patched but Still Leaky: An Update on the Pipeline for Women in Gastroenterology. Dig Dis Sci 2024:10.1007/s10620-024-08587-3. [PMID: 39126451 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-024-08587-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women remain underrepresented in gastroenterology (GI). Studies have identified that a lack of formal mentorship for women contributes to this underrepresentation. While many GI divisions have adopted models for supporting GI fellows and faculty, there is a gap in our knowledge regarding mentorship options for internal medicine (IM) residents interested in GI. AIMS To evaluate representation of women at each level of their career (resident, fellow, and attending) and examine trends in representation of women in GI compared to other IM subspecialties. METHODS We analyzed AAMC Physician Specialty Data Reports to compare gender representation and growth of women representation across all IM subspecialties and residencies from 2007 to 2021. RESULTS In 2021, 44.3% of IM residents, 37.8% of GI fellows, and 19.7% of actively practicing attending gastroenterologists were women. Since 2007, GI comprised significantly lower proportions of women attendings except for cardiology, and lower representation in fellows, except for cardiology and nephrology, than other IM subspecialties (p < 0.001). There was a consistently higher proportion of women GI fellows than attendings over the past 14 years (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS GI has among the lowest representation of women at each career level compared to other IM subspecialties. Given the previously reported preference of gender congruent mentoring, the underrepresentation of senior academic gastroenterologists who are women may be a contributing factor to lower proportions of women trainees choosing to pursue GI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nivita D Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC, 27705, USA.
| | - Karen C Young
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Lauren D Feld
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, UMass Chan School of Medicine, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Loren G Rabinowitz
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
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Ali S, Chowdhury R, Bittner K, Oxentenko AS, Kothari S. Assessing Family Leave Policies and Pregnancy Outcomes Among Gastroenterologists: A Survey of Physicians in the American College of Gastroenterology. Am J Gastroenterol 2023; 118:2294-2300. [PMID: 37463424 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Given variability in parental leave policies in gastroenterology (GI) with little data on outcomes, the American College of Gastroenterology conducted a survey to assess policies and outcomes. METHODS A survey was distributed to American College of Gastroenterology members with questions on demographics, fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and parental leave policies. RESULTS There were 796 responses, with 52.5% female individuals. Many (57%) delayed parenting. High rates of infertility (21%) and pregnancy complications (68%) were observed. Satisfaction with parental leave policies in GI was low (35%). DISCUSSION Our survey highlights the need for policies that support the well-being of our GI colleagues and families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shazia Ali
- The Permanente Medical Group, San Jose, California, USA
| | | | - Krystle Bittner
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | | | - Shivangi Kothari
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
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Feld LD, Sarkar M, Au JS, Flemming JA, Gripshover J, Kardashian A, Muir AJ, Nephew L, Orloff SL, Terrault N, Rabinowitz L, Volerman A, Arora V, Farnan J, Villa E. Parental leave, childcare policies, and workplace bias for hepatology professionals: A national survey. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0214. [PMID: 37639705 PMCID: PMC10461944 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The presence of workplace bias around child-rearing and inadequate parental leave may negatively impact childbearing decisions and sex equity in hepatology. This study aimed to understand the influence of parental leave and child-rearing on career advancement in hepatology. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of physician members of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) was distributed through email listserv in January 2021. The 33-item survey included demographic questions, questions about bias, altering training, career plans, family planning, parental leave, and work accommodations. RESULTS Among 199 US physician respondents, 65.3% were women, and 83.4% (n = 166) were attendings. Sex and racial differences were reported in several domains, including paid leave, perceptions of bias, and child-rearing. Most women (79.3%) took fewer than the recommended 12 paid weeks of parental leave for their first child (average paid leave 7.5 wk for women and 1.7 for men). A majority (75.2%) of women reported workplace discrimination, including 83.3% of Black and 62.5% of Hispanic women. Twenty percent of women were asked about their/their partners' pregnancy intentions or child-rearing plans during interviews for training. Women were more likely to alter career plans due to child-rearing (30.0% vs. 15.9%, p = 0.030). Women were also more likely to delay having children than men (69.5% vs.35.9%). CONCLUSIONS Women reported sex and maternity bias in the workplace and during training interviews, which was more frequently experienced by Black and Hispanic women. As two-thirds of women had children during training, it is a particularly influential time to reevaluate programmatic support to address long-term gender disparities in career advancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren D. Feld
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Monika Sarkar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jennifer S. Au
- Department of Organ Transplant, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Flemming
- Department of Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada
| | - Janet Gripshover
- Department of Transplant Surgery, Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ani Kardashian
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Andrew J. Muir
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lauren Nephew
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Susan L. Orloff
- Department of Surgery, Division of Abdominal Organ Transplantation, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Norah Terrault
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Liver, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Loren Rabinowitz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna Volerman
- Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Vineet Arora
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jeanne Farnan
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Erica Villa
- Dipartimento di Specialità Mediche, Struttura Complessa di Gastroenterologia, Universita Degli Studi Di Modena E Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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GIE Editorial Board Top 10: advances in GI endoscopy in 2021. Gastrointest Endosc 2022; 96:1062-1070. [PMID: 35948180 DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The 9-member Editorial Board of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy performed a systematic literature search of original articles published during 2021 in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and 10 other high-impact medical and gastroenterology journals on endoscopy-related topics. Votes from each editorial board member were tallied to identify a consensus list of the 10 most significant topic areas in GI endoscopy over the calendar year of study, with a focus on 3 criteria: significance, novelty, and global impact on clinical practice. The 10 areas identified collectively represent advances in the following endoscopic topics: colonoscopy optimization, bariatric endoscopy, endoscopic needle sampling and drainage, peroral endoscopic myotomy, endoscopic defect closure, meeting systemic challenges in endoscopic training and practice, endohepatology, FNA versus fine-needle biopsy sampling, endoscopic mucosal and submucosal procedures, and cold snare polypectomy. Each board member contributed a summary of important articles relevant to 1 to 2 of the consensus topic areas, leading to a collective summary that is presented in this document of the "top 10" endoscopic advances of 2021.
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Advani R, Arjonilla M, Guerson A, Taub E, Monzur F. Gender-Specific Attitudes of Internal Medicine Residents Toward Gastroenterology. Dig Dis Sci 2022; 67:5044-5052. [PMID: 35596822 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-022-07541-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Female representation among gastroenterology (GI) fellows has remained around 30%, yet women comprise over 50% of internal medicine (IM) residents. We aim to identify the gender-specific barriers of IM residents toward pursuing GI. METHODS We surveyed IM residents in the Northeast by emailing 168 IM programs a survey link to be distributed to their residents. A 4-point Likert barrier scale and bivariate analysis were performed with "yes" and "no," where "yes" was analyzed as "somewhat of a barrier" and above. Females received a third table assessing female-specific barriers. Significance was set at < 0.05. RESULTS Of 215 survey responses, 56.3% (n = 121) were female. Response rate could not be determined due to resident identity protection and inconsistent responses of survey dissemination from programs. Females had significantly greater concerns about fertility, maternity leave, radiation exposure, work-life balance, stress, and burnout compared to males (p < 0.05). For females, 48.7% felt a lack of gender diversity in GI, 54.6% felt a lack of female GI mentors, and 43.7% felt there is a lack of respect as a female in GI. No gender differences existed in motivation to pursue GI, exposure to GI, and access to GI mentors, or GI-related research. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals that female IM trainees had greater concerns surrounding fertility, radiation exposure, and maternity leave compared to male IM trainees. Lack of gender diversity and lack of female GI mentors were noted barriers for female IM trainees. Addressing these barriers may help increase female representation in GI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Advani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stony Brook University Hospital, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook, 101 Nicolls Road, HSC T17-060, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-8173, USA.
| | - Marta Arjonilla
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University Hospital, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, USA
| | - Arcelia Guerson
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stony Brook University Hospital, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook, 101 Nicolls Road, HSC T17-060, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-8173, USA
| | - Erin Taub
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stony Brook University Hospital, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, USA
| | - Farah Monzur
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stony Brook University Hospital, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook, 101 Nicolls Road, HSC T17-060, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-8173, USA
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Tai DFW, Thoufeeq M. Fall in colonoscopy completion rates is short lived after a break in performing colonoscopy: a study of how the COVID-19-impacted period affected colonoscopy performance. Endoscopy 2022; 54:902-903. [PMID: 35820436 DOI: 10.1055/a-1857-5494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David F W Tai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Mo Thoufeeq
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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