Gender and academic promotion of Canadian general surgeons: a cross-sectional study

Gawad, Nada; Tran, Alexandre; Martel, Andre B.; Baxter, Nancy N.; Allen, Molly; Manhas, Neraj; Balaa, Fady

doi:10.9778/cmajo.20190090

Cited by 30 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…This study joins others among surgical subspecialties in highlighting ongoing gender disparity with regards to women surgeons within academia [ 32 – 37 , 40 , 41 , 43 – 48 , 51 , 52 , 54 – 58 , 64 ]. While our investigation highlights the current Canadian environment, the themes of ongoing gender disparity are not isolated to this country; with specific studies noting that inequities exist in Plastic Surgery, Neurosurgery and General surgery across North America, the EU and Oceania [ 39 , 45 , 46 , 65 , 66 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 61%

“…There is very limited data examining the gender distribution and achievements of Canadian surgeons. Of the existing Canadian research, it has been shown that women surgeons are less likely to ascend to higher ranks of academic faculty or to leadership positions, and they make statistically significantly less money than their men colleagues [ 41 , 58 , 59 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gender imbalance amongst promotion and leadership in academic surgical programs in Canada: A cross-sectional Investigation

et al. 2021

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Background Women are underrepresented at higher levels of promotion or leadership despite the increasing number of women physicians. In surgery, this has been compounded by historical underrepresentation. With a nation-wide focus on the importance of diversity, our aim was to provide a current snapshot of gender representation in Canadian universities. Methods This cross-sectional online website review assessed the current faculty listings for 17 university-affiliated academic surgical training departments across Canada in the 2019/2020 academic year. Gender diversity of academic surgical faculty was assessed across surgical disciplines. Additionally, gender diversity in career advancement, as described by published leadership roles, promotion and faculty appointment, was analyzed. Results Women surgeons are underrepresented across Canadian surgical specialties (totals: 2,689 men versus 531 women). There are significant differences in the gender representation of surgeons between specialties and between universities, regardless of specialty. Women surgeons had a much lower likelihood of being at the highest levels of promotion (OR: 0.269, 95% CI: 0.179–0.405). Men surgeons were statistically more likely to hold academic leadership positions than women (p = 0.0002). Women surgeons had a much lower likelihood of being at the highest levels of leadership (OR: 0.372, 95% CI: 0.216–0.641). Discussion This study demonstrates that women surgeons are significantly underrepresented at the highest levels of academic promotion and leadership in Canada. Our findings allow for a direct comparison between Canadian surgical subspecialties and universities. Individual institutions can use these data to critically appraise diversity policies already in place, assess their workforce and apply a metric from which change can be measured.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 61%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender imbalance amongst promotion and leadership in academic surgical programs in Canada: A cross-sectional Investigation

et al. 2021

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“…[ 88 ] High income United States Retrospective review Not reported 2020 Gender and academic promotion of Canadian general surgeons: a cross-sectional study. [ 89 ] High income Canada Cross-sectional analysis n = 405 (111/294) 27% Not reported 2020 Gender Disparities Among Burn Surgery Leadership. [ 90 ] High income United States Cross-sectional analysis n = 581 (58/523) 10% No funding 2020 Gender Disparity Among Surgical Peer-Reviewed Literature.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The experiences of female surgeons around the world: a scoping review

Xepoleas

Munabi²,

Auslander

et al. 2020

Hum Resour Health

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Introduction The Lancet Commission for Global Surgery identified an adequate surgical workforce as one indicator of surgical care accessibility. Many countries where women in surgery are underrepresented struggle to meet the recommended 20 surgeons per 100,000 population. We evaluated female surgeons’ experiences globally to identify strategies to increase surgical capacity through women. Methods Three database searches identified original studies examining female surgeon experiences. Countries were grouped using the World Bank income level and Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI). Results Of 12,914 studies meeting search criteria, 139 studies were included and examined populations from 26 countries. Of the accepted studies, 132 (95%) included populations from high-income countries (HICs) and 125 (90%) exclusively examined populations from the upper 50% of GGGI ranked countries. Country income and GGGI ranking did not independently predict gender equity in surgery. Female surgeons in low GGGI HIC (Japan) were limited by familial support, while those in low income, but high GGGI countries (Rwanda) were constrained by cultural attitudes about female education. Across all populations, lack of mentorship was seen as a career barrier. HIC studies demonstrate that establishing a critical mass of women in surgery encourages female students to enter surgery. In HICs, trainee abilities are reported as equal between genders. Yet, HIC women experience discrimination from male co-workers, strain from pregnancy and childcare commitments, and may suffer more negative health consequences. Female surgeon abilities were seen as inferior in lower income countries, but more child rearing support led to fewer women delaying childbearing during training compared to North Americans and Europeans. Conclusion The relationship between country income and GGGI is complex and neither independently predict gender equity. Cultural norms between geographic regions influence the variability of female surgeons’ experiences. More research is needed in lower income and low GGGI ranked countries to understand female surgeons’ experiences and promote gender equity in increasing the number of surgical providers.

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“…Gender and ethnicity based disparities in medicine have been documented for over 30 years 8. Disparities in promotion,9 compensation,1011 discrimination,1112 and harassment13 that disadvantage women and racialised physicians have been found in every setting and specialty where such inequities have been studied.…”

Section: Lack Of Diversity Perpetuates Lack Of Diversitymentioning

confidence: 99%