Academic Orthopaedics As a Driver of Gender Diversity in the Orthopaedic Workforce: A Review of 4,519 Orthopaedic Faculty Members

Kuhns, Benjamin D.; Haws, Brittany E.; Kaupp, Shannon; Maloney, Michael D.; Carmody, Emily E.; Mannava, Sandeep

doi:10.5435/jaaosglobal-d-21-00028

Cited by 14 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…It is likely that these trailblazing females within gender diversity hotspots contributed to the observed relative increase in female recruitment. Therefore, one method of addressing the orthopaedic gender gap is to increase the number of female leaders in orthopaedic residency programs and regional orthopaedic societies, where representation is lacking [ 23 , 26 , 27 ]. Pipeline programs such as the Perry Initiative and the Nth Dimension are also necessary for achieving gender parity [ 6 , 11 , 25 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender Representation in Orthopaedic Surgery: A Geospatial Analysis From 2015 to 2022

Peterman¹,

Macinnis²,

Stauffer³

et al. 2022

Cureus

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Introduction The gender disparity in orthopaedic surgery is well-established. According to our analysis, only 7.4% of practicing orthopaedic surgeons in the US are female in 2022. While there are several theories attempting to explain this gender gap, our eight years of data show that limited female representation is a self-perpetuating cycle as areas without female representation almost never improve in that regard. It appears that existing female mentorship is critical to the growth of a female orthopaedic presence in an area. In the present work, we aim to describe how gender diversity in orthopaedic surgery differs across the country, how this diversity is changing over time, and how surgeon gender diversity may be affected by the sociodemographic characteristics making up the counties where orthopaedic surgery is practiced. Methods A retrospective study was conducted using publicly available National Provider Identifier (NPI) data from 2015 to 2022. Orthopaedic surgeons and their genders were identified using the Provider Type and Gender data elements associated with an individual NPI. Rural-urban and metro characters were defined using the USDA Economic Research Reserve’s rural-urban continuum codes. Python was used for database building and data cleaning. GeoDa, a statistical map-based graphing software, was used to plot and assess demographic, geographic, and socioeconomic trends. Trends in gender diversity from 2015 to 2019 were analyzed for each individual year as well as the time period as an aggregate. Cluster analysis was performed to assess complex spatial patterns of variables that could not be condensed linearly or logarithmically. Moran’s I was used to measure the similarity of a Federal Information Processing System (FIPS) area code to its neighbors. Within the clustering analysis, spatial clusters were broken down into four groups of spatial outliers (High-High, High-Low, Low-High, and Low-Low) referencing a given area’s relationship with its neighbors. Factorial ANOVA between each of the four cluster types was performed using the variables provided in the article to identify significant demographic variables within the cluster analysis. Results There are relative hotspots of gender diversity in the Northwest, Northeast, and Southwest with relative coldspots in the Midwest and Southern US. In counties that are considered gender diversity hotspots, the total population of orthopaedic surgeons increases by 0.94 each year while the population of female orthopaedic surgeons increases by 0.2, suggesting that in areas with high gender diversity, 4.7 male orthopaedic surgeons are joining practices for every 1.0 female. In areas with low gender diversity, the population of orthopaedic surgeons increases by 0.11 surgeons each year while the slope for an increase in female orthopaedic surgeons is 0. Conclusions Orthopaedic surgery lags behind other male-dominated surgical specialties in gender parity. Our analysis demonstr...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender Representation in Orthopaedic Surgery: A Geospatial Analysis From 2015 to 2022

Peterman¹,

Macinnis²,

Stauffer³

et al. 2022

Cureus

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“…We identified several publications regarding membership in orthopaedic societies. 21 , 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 All these studies describe the importance of promoting diversity and inclusion within orthopaedic societies and orthopaedic leadership with exception to one study that describes the geographic distribution of their members. 27 Scerpella et al described the creation of the Forum to support women in orthopaedics and promote research endeavors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Membership and Feedback on the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Other Subspecialty Societies: A Survey Study of Orthopaedic Surgeons

et al. 2022

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Introduction: Orthopaedic surgeons face decreased reimbursement, lower income, and increased rates of burnout. As subspecializing through fellowship training in orthopaedics becomes more and more prevalent, the value of membership to a general orthopaedic society (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons [AAOS]) warrants investigation. Methods: One hundred thirty orthopaedic surgeons were surveyed by e-mail through a 14-item anonymous survey administered through SurveyMonkey. The survey inquired about surgeon experience, practice type, fellowship training, and details regarding AAOS and subspecialty society membership. Results: The response rate was 67%, with 94% of respondents indicating that they were members of AAOS and a subspecialty society. The most common reasons for AAOS membership were tradition (65, 74.7%), continuing medical education (46, 52.9%), maintenance of board certification (44, 50.6%), and political advocacy (40, 46.0%). The most common reasons for subspecialty society membership were continuing medical education (73, 83.9%), tradition (49, 59.8%), and political advocacy (33, 40.2%). Discussion: Most surgeons in our study cohort were members of both AAOS and a subspecialty society, but the reasons for membership in each differed. Almost 80% of respondents think their subspecialty society provides all their professional needs. The orthopaedic societies need to continue to evolve to provide value to their members to succeed in the future. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) was founded in 1933 at Northwestern University. Currently based in Rosemont, Illinois, the Academy provides musculoskeletal education to patients,

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“…However, this rate of increase was slower than that of other surgical specialties 22 . As a result, the lowest representation of minority groups and women has been seen in orthopaedics [22][23][24] . Likewise, in the United Kingdom (U.K.), women have been reported to make up >50% of medical students 25 but only 20.6% of specialty registrars and 7.3% of consultants in trauma and orthopaedics-the lowest of all surgical specialties 26 .…”

Section: Global Diversity In Orthopaedicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overcoming the Barriers to Diversity in Orthopaedic Surgery

Rama,

Ekhtiari,

Thevendran

et al. 2023

Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery

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Background: Diversity in orthopaedics continues to lag behind that in other surgical specialties. This pattern exists globally and is not unique to gender or race. This review offers a global perspective on overcoming the barriers to diversity in orthopaedics. Methods: A literature search of MEDLINE and Embase was conducted and a narrative review was undertaken. Publications that discussed any aspect of diversity or solutions to diversity within orthopaedics or academic orthopaedics were identified. Results: A total of 62 studies were included. Studies showed that diversity in orthopaedic training is limited by structural barriers such as long hours, requirements to relocate during training, training inflexibility, and a lack of exposure to orthopaedics. Implicit bias during the selection process for training, discrimination, and a lack of role models are additional barriers that are experienced by both minority and female surgeons. The global lack of diversity suggests that there are also inherent “cultural barriers” that are unique to orthopaedics; however, these barriers are not uniformly experienced. Perceptions of orthopaedics as promoting an unhealthy work-life balance and the existence of a “boys’ club” must be addressed. Strong, committed leaders can embed cultural norms, support trainees, and act as visible role models. Targeted efforts to increase diverse recruitment and to reduce bias in selection processes for medical school and specialty training will increase diversity in the “training pipeline.” Conclusions: Diversity in orthopaedics continues to lag behind that in other specialties. Increasing diversity is important for providing a more inclusive training environment, improving patient care, and reducing health disparities. Structural and cultural barriers need to be addressed to improve diversity in orthopaedics. Promoting a culture supportive of all surgeons is essential to reframing perceptions that may prevent individuals from even considering a career as an orthopaedic surgeon. Changing attitudes require focused efforts from committed leadership in a “top-down” approach that prioritizes diversity. The efforts from national bodies seeking to tackle the lack of diversity, as well as the establishment of organizations committed to diversity, such as the International Orthopaedic Diversity Alliance, provide reasons to be optimistic for the future.

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Academic Orthopaedics As a Driver of Gender Diversity in the Orthopaedic Workforce: A Review of 4,519 Orthopaedic Faculty Members

Cited by 14 publications

References 19 publications

Gender Representation in Orthopaedic Surgery: A Geospatial Analysis From 2015 to 2022

Gender Representation in Orthopaedic Surgery: A Geospatial Analysis From 2015 to 2022

Membership and Feedback on the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Other Subspecialty Societies: A Survey Study of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Overcoming the Barriers to Diversity in Orthopaedic Surgery

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