Women in neurointervention, a gender gap? Results of a prospective online survey
Issued Date
2022-06-01
Resource Type
ISSN
15910199
eISSN
23852011
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85114898422
Pubmed ID
34516279
Journal Title
Interventional Neuroradiology
Volume
28
Issue
3
Start Page
311
End Page
322
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Interventional Neuroradiology Vol.28 No.3 (2022) , 311-322
Suggested Citation
Power S., Biondi A., Saatci I., Bennett K., Mahadevan J., Januel A.C., Singhara Na Ayudhaya S., Agid R. Women in neurointervention, a gender gap? Results of a prospective online survey. Interventional Neuroradiology Vol.28 No.3 (2022) , 311-322. 322. doi:10.1177/15910199211030783 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/87302
Title
Women in neurointervention, a gender gap? Results of a prospective online survey
Author's Affiliation
Ramathibodi Hospital
Université de Franche-Comté
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besançon
CHU de Toulouse
University of Toronto
Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University
Toronto Western Hospital University of Toronto
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Koru Hospitals
Pantai Hospital
Beaumont Hospital
Université de Franche-Comté
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besançon
CHU de Toulouse
University of Toronto
Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University
Toronto Western Hospital University of Toronto
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Koru Hospitals
Pantai Hospital
Beaumont Hospital
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Women's representation in medicine has increased over time yet the proportion of women practicing neurointervention remains low. We conducted an anonymous online survey through which we could explore the gender gap in neurointervention, identify potential issues, difficulties, or obstacles women might face, and evaluate if men encounter similar issues. Methods: An online questionnaire was designed in SurveyMonkey®. Invitation to participate was emailed through national and international neurointerventional societies as well as directly through private mailing lists to men and women working in neurointervention. Responses were collected from 10 May 2019 to 10 September 2019. Results: There were 295 complete responses, 173 (59%) male and 122 (41%) female. Most respondents (83%) fell within age categories 35–60 years, with representation from 40 countries across five continents. In all 95% were working full time, 73% had worked as a neurointerventionalist for >6 years, 77% worked in University-affiliated teaching institutions. Almost half of the respondents indicated no female neurointerventionalist worked in their center. Female respondents were younger and age-adjusted analysis was undertaken. Significantly fewer females than males were married and had children. Significantly fewer females held supervisory roles, held academic titles, and significantly less had a mentor. Females were less satisfied in their careers. More females felt they receive less recognition than colleagues of the opposite sex. Males had a greater proportion of work time dedicated to neurointervention. Similar proportions of both genders experienced bullying in work (40%–47%); however, sexual harassment was more common for females. There were no differences between genders in how they dealt with complications or their effects on mental well-being. Conclusion: There are many potential reasons why women are underrepresented in neurointervention, however, the literature suggests this is not unique to our specialty. Multiple long-term strategies will be necessary to address these issues, some of which are discussed in the article.