Female Representation and Position Based on Facts and Members Views in the European Society of Coloproctology

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is wide variation in gender distribution in colorectal surgery across different European countries. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate female representation, implicit bias, and members’ perception on female participation and representation at the European Society of Coloproctology 2017 annual scientific meeting. DESIGN: This was a retrospective mixed-methods cross-sectional observational study. SETTINGS: The study was conducted using data from the 2017 European Society of Coloproctology annual scientific meeting program and attendees. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the percentage of female speakers in the formal program and assessment for implicit bias. Secondary outcomes were the percentage of women attending the conference, the percentage of women serving on committees, and the results of the online survey. METHODS: Female representation was retrospectively quantified by role, session type, and topic. Implicit bias was measured classifying the introductions of speakers by moderators as formal (using a professional title) or informal (using name only), then further stratified by gender. An online survey was disseminated and analyzed to investigate the members’ perception as a benchmark analysis. RESULTS: Disparities were found between sexes, with fewer women attending the conference (25%), serving as session chairs (8%), speakers (21%), and on committees (10%) compared with men. There were no differences across sexes regarding the formal or informal introduction. The survey among our members showed that significantly fewer women felt equally endorsed within the society compared with men (33% versus 63%; p < 0.001). LIMITATIONS: The retrospective design with data available to be analyzed was limited by the sessions recorded (27/49) and survey respondents (28%). CONCLUSIONS: Female representation within European Society of Coloproctology as chair, speaker, attendee, and committee member was much lower than male representation, both in absolute numbers and relative to membership. Greater awareness of this disparity and inclusiveness are aims of our society. The impact of these initiatives will be determined by reevaluating these metrics at the 2020 annual meeting. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B384 . REPRESENTACIÓN Y POSICIÓN FEMENINA EN LA SOCIEDAD EUROPEA DE COLOPROCTOLOGÍA BASADA EN LOS HECHOS Y LAS OPINIONES DE SUS MIEMBROS ANTECEDENTES: Existe una amplia variabilidad en la distribución de géneros en la cirugía colorrectal en los diferentes países de Europa. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la representación femenina, el sesgo implícito y la percepción de los miembros sobre la participación y rep...

Female authorship trends in the field of colorectal surgery: A retrospective bibliometric study

“…In England, women made up 64% of the medical students but only 13.2% of consultant surgeons [ 34 ]. In comparison, 26.2% of Dutch surgeons and 36% of the Spanish Society of Coloproctology were women [ 35 ]. In Asia, women accounted for 8.9% of surgical physicians in Korea and 6.2% in Japan [ 36 , 37 ].…”

“…The percentage of international fellows was only 8%, but this may be biased by low attendance from colorectal surgeons outside of the U.S. While among 1686 attendees at the 2017 European Society of Coloproctology, fewer women attended the conference (25%), serving as speakers (21%), on committees (10%) or as session chairs (8%), compared with men [ 35 ].…”