Current Trends of Women Surgeon Speakers at National Trauma Surgery Conferences: The Trauma House Is Improving

Abstract

Background

An invitation to speak at a national meeting represents the advancement of one’s career and indicates acceptance and the attention of the scientific community. Studies have revealed gender disparities across medical and surgical society meetings. The purpose of our study was to assess the current trend of women surgeon speakers at major national trauma surgery conferences during the last 4 years (ie, 2016-2019).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of conference programs of major trauma surgery association annual meetings including the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST), the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST), and the Western Trauma Association (WTA) was conducted. Our primary outcome was the number and proportion of women surgeon speakers at each conference each year.

Results

Twelve conference programs from three national trauma surgery association annual meetings were reviewed. A total of 2029 speakers were included; 608 (30%) of which were female and 1421 (70%) of which were male. The proportion of women speakers ranged from 22.3% to 41.4%. The number of women speakers increased each year from 2016 to 2019: (EAST: 25.2%-39.8%, P = .049; AAST: 27.1%-41.4%, P < .00001, and WTA: 27.8%-33.3%, P = . 0.573).

Conclusion

The number of women surgeon speakers at national trauma surgery conferences significantly increased from 2016 to 2019. The increase in women trauma surgeon speakers is encouraging and should be celebrated, but organizational leadership should take this information into account while extending invitations to surgeons for speaking opportunities and continue to promote diversity and inclusivity.

Keywords

women trauma surgeons women speakers academic equity

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