Unconscious Bias in Speaker Introductions at a Surgical Oncology Meeting: Hierarchy Reigns Over Gender

Analysis of Speaker Introduction Formality by Gender at the American College of Gastroenterology 2020 Annual Scientific Meeting

“…Additionally, our findings may reflect increasing societal awareness of gender-based disparities since the time of the previously mentioned publications, as well as increased efforts by the gastroenterology societies to address gender bias within our field [ 14 ]. Indeed, three articles published within the last year did not find gender-based differences in use of professional titles at the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) annual meetings in 2018 and 2019, the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meetings from 2017 to 2019, and the American Urological Association (AUA) annual conferences from 2017 to 2019, though the majority of speakers were men, and the sample sizes were limited [ 15 – 17 ].…”

Surgical Societies Must Lead the Way on Addressing Bias and Microaggressions

“…11 Unfortunately, the effect of race and ethnicity in this study could not be access given the paucity of assigned Black (1%) and Hispanic (3.4%) speakers identified by perceived race. 11 These data inspired the development and implementation the SSO Guidelines for Respectful Discourse which was dispersed to all meeting leaders and moderators. 12 These guidelines, in short, encouraged consistent forms of professional address during speaker introductions, the use of gender-neutral language when applicable, and patient centered language when discussing disease and/or treatment effects.…”

“…An analysis of the 2018 and 2019 SSO Annual Meetings found relative parity in the proportion of female speakers (42%) with no difference by gender in the use of professional titles when introducing speakers. 11 However, residents and fellows were less likely to be introduced using professional titles with an odds ratio of 2.77 (1.41 -5.42) p=0.003. 11 Unfortunately, the effect of race and ethnicity in this study could not be access given the paucity of assigned Black (1%) and Hispanic (3.4%) speakers identified by perceived race.…”

“…11 However, residents and fellows were less likely to be introduced using professional titles with an odds ratio of 2.77 (1.41 -5.42) p=0.003. 11 Unfortunately, the effect of race and ethnicity in this study could not be access given the paucity of assigned Black (1%) and Hispanic (3.4%) speakers identified by perceived race. 11 These data inspired the development and implementation the SSO Guidelines for Respectful Discourse which was dispersed to all meeting leaders and moderators.…”

Warm and Welcoming: Is It What We Say or How We Say It?

“…as Chair and Vice Chair of the Scientific Program Committee, respectively), we read with great interest the article in this issue of Annals of Surgical Oncology evaluating unconscious bias in speaker introductions. Stewart et al 1 performed an observational study of video-archived introductions from the 2018 and 2019 SSO annual conferences, having previously noted gender biases at other large national meetings. Specifically, this work mirrors a recent study by Duma and colleagues which defined a ''professional introduction'' as one in which the speaker's professional title, followed by the speaker's full name or last name, was used 2 .It is worth noting the innovative use of video review in this study.…”