Helen Skinner1, Joshua R Burke2, Alastair L Young3, Robert A Adair4, Andrew M Smith4. 1. Department of Pancreaticobiliary Surgery, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust, Beckett Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 7TF, UK. Electronic address: helen.skinner5@nhs.net. 2. Department of Pancreaticobiliary Surgery, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust, Beckett Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 7TF, UK; Leeds Institute of Biomedical & Clinical Sciences, Clinical Sciences Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 7TF, UK. 3. Department of Pancreaticobiliary Surgery, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust, Beckett Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 7TF, UK. Electronic address: alistair.young@nhs.net. 4. Department of Pancreaticobiliary Surgery, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust, Beckett Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 7TF, UK.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Despite making up more than half of new doctors, women are underrepresented in most surgical specialties. Various reasons have been suggested for this including issues with work-life balance, discrimination and a lack of female role models in the specialty. We sought to quantify the extent of gender discrimination in leadership roles in surgical societies in the UK. METHODS: All major Surgical Specialty Organisations were identified via the Royal College of Surgeons Website. Leadership and committee information was collected via organisation websites on 5th September 2018. All societies were then contacted requesting data including total membership, their stage of training and the gender split. RESULTS: Of the twenty-four organisations contacted, eighteen were able to provide data. Women accounted for 11.8% (2446/20 803) of consultant and 34.3% (5267/15 366) of trainee members. 2/24 presidents; 3/26 of vice presidents; 18.1% (39/215) of executive committees and 13.5% (49/364) of wider committee members were female. Thirty-four committee members were not included as they were not surgeons (23 female; 11 male). DISCUSSION: Despite accounting for 27% of the surgical workforce and indeed 24% of surgical society members, women account for only 2 of 24 Presidents and 18.1% (39/215) of the executive committees of surgical societies in the UK. Action should be taken so women are fairly represented in leadership roles in surgical societies with one of the benefits being more visible role models for prospective female surgeons.
INTRODUCTION: Despite making up more than half of new doctors, women are underrepresented in most surgical specialties. Various reasons have been suggested for this including issues with work-life balance, discrimination and a lack of female role models in the specialty. We sought to quantify the extent of gender discrimination in leadership roles in surgical societies in the UK. METHODS: All major Surgical Specialty Organisations were identified via the Royal College of Surgeons Website. Leadership and committee information was collected via organisation websites on 5th September 2018. All societies were then contacted requesting data including total membership, their stage of training and the gender split. RESULTS: Of the twenty-four organisations contacted, eighteen were able to provide data. Women accounted for 11.8% (2446/20 803) of consultant and 34.3% (5267/15 366) of trainee members. 2/24 presidents; 3/26 of vice presidents; 18.1% (39/215) of executive committees and 13.5% (49/364) of wider committee members were female. Thirty-four committee members were not included as they were not surgeons (23 female; 11 male). DISCUSSION: Despite accounting for 27% of the surgical workforce and indeed 24% of surgical society members, women account for only 2 of 24 Presidents and 18.1% (39/215) of the executive committees of surgical societies in the UK. Action should be taken so women are fairly represented in leadership roles in surgical societies with one of the benefits being more visible role models for prospective female surgeons.
Authors: Fernanda Costa Sampaio Silva; Monique Magnavita Borba da Fonseca Cerqueira; Magno Conceição das Mercês; Flávia Magalhães Silveira Magella; Bárbara Beatriz Couto Ruivo; Marita von Rautenfeld; Roque Aras Journal: J Vasc Bras Date: 2021-08-13