Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Spring 4-2020
Abstract
Introduction: Women are under-represented in the surgical disciplines and gender bias is believed to play a factor. We aimed to understand the gender distribution of membership, leadership opportunities, and scientific contributions to annual trauma professional meetings as a case study of gender issues in trauma surgery.
Methods: Retrospective collection of membership, leadership, presentation and publication data from 2016 to 2018 Trauma/Acute Care Surgery/Surgical Critical Care (TACSCC) Annual Meetings. Gender was assigned based on self-identification in demographic information, established relationships, or public sources.
Results: Women remain under-represented with only 28.1% of those ascertaining American Board of Surgery certification in critical care self-identifying as female. The proportion of female members in Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) was comparable (29.4%), slightly lower for Western Trauma Association (WTA) (19.0%), and lowest for American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) (12.8%, p
Conclusion: Fewer women than men pursue careers in the trauma field. Continuing to provide mentorship, leadership, and scientific recognition will increase gender diversity in TACSCC. We must continue to promote, sponsor, recognize, invite, and elect 'her'.
Level of evidence: III, Epidemiology.
Publication Title
Trauma Surg Acute Care Open
Volume
5
Issue
1
First Page
000433
Last Page
000433
Recommended Citation
Foster, S., Knight, J., Velopulos, C., Bonne, S., Joseph, D., Santry, H., Coleman, J., & Callcut, R. (2020). Gender distribution and leadership trends in trauma surgery societies.. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open, 5 (1), 000433-000433. https://doi.org/10.1136/tsaco-2019-000433