Evaluating Unconscious Bias: Speaker Introductions at an International Oncology Conference

Abstract

PURPOSE In a professional setting, the introduction of female speakers without their professional title may have an impact on the public’s perception of the female speaker. We examined how professional titles were used during speakers’ introductions at the ASCO Annual Meeting. METHODS We conducted a retrospective, observational study of video-archived speaker introductions at the 2017 and 2018 ASCO Annual Meetings. A “professional address” was defined as the professional title followed by the speaker’s full name or last name. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with the form of address. RESULTS Of 2,511 videos reviewed, 781 met inclusion criteria. Female speakers were addressed less often by their professional title compared with male speakers (62% v 81%; P < .001). Males were less likely to use a professional address when introducing female speakers compared with females when introducing male speakers (53% v 80%; P < .01). When women performed speaker introductions, no gender differences in professional address were observed (75% v 82%; P = .13). Female speakers were more likely to be introduced by first name only (17% v 3%; P < .001). Male introducers were more likely to address female speakers by first name only compared with female introducers (24% v 7%; P < .01). In a multivariable regression including gender, degree, academic rank, and geographic location of the speaker’s institution, male speakers were more likely to receive a professional address compared with female speakers (odds ratio, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.71 to 3.47; P < .01). CONCLUSION When introduced by men, female speakers were less likely to receive a professional address and more likely to be introduced by first name only compared with their male peers.

Analysis of Speaker Introduction Formality by Gender at the American College of Gastroenterology 2020 Annual Scientific Meeting

“…In a review of presentations from the inaugural ACG 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting, we found no gender differences in the formality of speaker introductions or speaker self-introductions. This is in contrast to previously published work documenting gender-based difference in the use of professional titles in the introductions of speakers at in-person internal medicine and oncology conferences [ 11 , 12 ]. The first article to formally evaluate speaker introductions at professional meetings in medicine was a retrospective observational study of video-archived speaker introductions at Internal Medicine Grand Rounds at two locations of an academic medical center.…”

“…The findings published in 2017 highlighted that women were less likely to be addressed by professional title than men, and that this difference was driven by men introducing women speakers informally. Follow-up studies examining introductions at the 2017 and 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meetings and the American Academy of Dermatology 2019 annual meeting replicated these findings [ 12 , 13 ]. These important studies demonstrated the persistence of gender-based disparities in professional introductions across multiple medical disciplines and professional settings.…”

“…Women gastroenterologists report gender-based bias [ 4 – 7 ], with documented gender disparities in compensation, invited authorships, and leadership positions [ 8 – 10 ]. Studies in internal medicine and oncology have noted gender-based differences in the use of professional titles during speaker introductions [ 11 , 12 ]. These studies found that women physicians were less likely to be introduced by their professional titles, and that this difference was driven primarily by men introducing women physicians more informally than their colleagues who are men [ 11 , 12 ].…”

“…Studies in internal medicine and oncology have noted gender-based differences in the use of professional titles during speaker introductions [ 11 , 12 ]. These studies found that women physicians were less likely to be introduced by their professional titles, and that this difference was driven primarily by men introducing women physicians more informally than their colleagues who are men [ 11 , 12 ]. This phenomenon has not yet been studied in gastroenterology.…”

Ongoing Gender Inequity in Leadership Positions of Academic Oncology Programs

“…Recent studies have documented how these challenges play out within the field of oncology specifically. Duma and colleagues 8 documented that women speaking at a prominent national oncology meeting were less likely to be introduced by professional titles. Knoll and colleagues 9 documented that women attend fewer national conferences despite being equally convinced of the important benefits of attendance, and the biggest reported obstacle to attendance was related to childcare.…”