Female oncologists in the Middle East and North Africa: progress towards gender equality

Abstract

BackgroundFemale doctors are increasingly choosing oncology as a career while they are still under-represented in leadership positions globally. The European Society of Medical Oncology has recently surveyed its members regarding gender equality in the work place. Limited data are available from the Middle East. The aim of our study was to survey female oncologists practicing in the Middle East to identify common challenges and suggest areas for improvement.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was distributed among female participants attending the annual Lebanese Society of Medical Oncology meeting in March 2018, and in the Pan-Arab annual meeting in April 2018. The questionnaire used included questions assessing sociodemographic characteristics, involvement in leadership and academic positions and the impact of career on family life.ResultsOverall, 88 questionnaires were collected from women practicing all over the Middle East. 59% reported that a male doctor was responsible for the work team; however, 57% covered a managerial or leadership role within their job. 64% of the female oncologists believed that their gender had at least moderate, significant and even major impact on their career. Participants reported that their careers have a considerable impact on their relationship with friends and social networking (49%) and their family and marriage (44%). 58% report having problems with finding balance between work and family, and 50% find barriers to attend international meetings. Several ways to improve were suggested, 56% voted for offering development and leadership training specifically women, 45% suggested implementing a flexible work schedule.ConclusionIn what is considered a male dominant environment, gender equality according to female oncologists working in the Middle East, is very comparable to the world data provided. Several strategies have been identified to continue progress in this domain with the aim to improve academic leadership opportunities and work-life balance for all.

Gender influence on work satisfaction and leadership for medical oncologists: a survey of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM)

“…These are all widely reclaimed means of addressing gender equality across geographical regions. 2 , 10 , 16 In a study by Riaz et al., while women in the United States are clearly underrepresented in senior academic hematology and oncology positions (22% of full professors, 36% of associate professors, and 45% of assistant professors), after adjusting for clinical experience, academic productivity, and workplace ranking, the odds of obtaining professorship were not significantly different for female and male physicians. 30 This supports the theory that for women to reach equal leadership representation, differences in length of clinical experience need to be addressed, and publication profiles and workplace visibility must be increased.…”

“… 17 Other factors such as difficulties in attending international conferences or training programs, and lower salaries were more prominently cited in surveys of female oncologists in the Middle East, North Africa, and India. 10 , 16 …”

“…A number of surveys over the last few years have reported on the underrepresentation of women oncologists in leadership roles worldwide, as well as women's perception of the role of gender in their professional environment. 2 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 Cultural factors can be strong gender drivers in the professional environment, with women experiencing different challenges and playing different roles in the workplace according to the cultural setting. To better understand the role of gender in professional satisfaction and career development in the oncology field in the Spanish context, the SEOM Working Group of Women in Oncology developed a questionnaire for its members, both male and female, focusing on the perceptions of gender issues in the professional context and what can potentially be done to address any imbalances.…”

Low expression of ryanodine receptor 2 is associated with poor prognosis in thyroid carcinoma

“…Major sources of ionizing radiation includes radioactive material from nuclear waste and medical examinations (for example, computerized tomography and x-rays), and there is an increased probability of exposure to ionizing radiation. Additionally, as society and societal roles have developed, there are now more women in the workforce which may result in additional work-related stress and thus changes to hormone levels (20).…”

The Impact of an All-female Healthcare Environment on Mentorship and Empowerment of Female Healthcare Professionals in LMICs

“…In volunteer home countries, pursuing leadership positions can be challenging for women. In a study of female oncologists in the Middle East, mothers were discouraged from pursuing leadership, even though they felt capable [17]. In an expanded study of female healthcare workers in the U.S., Haiti, Tanzania, and India, 53% reported that gender discrimination prevented promotions [18].…”