Trends in Gender Diversity in the Field of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery in Canada—Reply

Abstract

To the Editor With great interest, we read the article by Grose and colleagues. 1 We applaud the authors for successfully conducting this cross-sectional study to address this crucial topic. The article represents a necessary study to enhance the development of modern society, fortifying the essential concept of gender equality and contributing to the much-needed dialogue. Indeed, inequality represents a burden for a hospital system that aspires to be intelligent, sustainable, and supportive; and which intends to achieve high levels of employment, productivity, and social cohesion. Rigid gender roles and discrepancies could have dire consequences, weakening the workplace.Institutional barriers, including lack of accommodation for familial responsibilities and lack of mentorship, may influence specialty selection and personal decisions about future career paths. For example, the desire of having children between the ages of 25 to 35 years may have significant implications in choosing to continue a fellowship or use additional years for an academic career. The need to delay the first pregnancy for professional reasons, which was reported by 59% of Italian residents, is an important data point that must make us think about how to buffer an increase in the incidence of infertility and pregnancy complications already noted in female US surgeons. 2,3 Should hospitals offer free egg freezing? Like Apple and Facebook have been offering their employees since 2015?The "queen bee" phenomenon could be another element that can explain a lack of mentorship in academia. According to this theory, 4 women who have achieved senior positions isolate themselves from female subordinates attempting to advance in their own careers. The survival of women in a male-dominated work environment becomes a form of adaptability, in the sense that they try to prove to themselves and others that they diverge from other women. This dissimilarity is identified as the reason for their academic success.As we read the article, we thought that assessing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender equality is worthy of further research. For example, just in Italy, it was reported that only 17% of male partners took the lead in caring for their children, something that could damage womens' careers in a period where schools were closed and a necessary presence at home was needed. 2 To conclude, Grose et al 1 presented a thoughtful discussion on gender inequality, which may contribute to stopping the need for further studies in 10 years.

‘Seeing is believing’ – gender disparities in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery in Africa: a narrative review

“…Women assuming a medical career face continuous challenges. These obstacles include limited access to educational opportunities, difficulties entering medical schools, hardships in being accepted to residency programs, and discrimination experienced during residency training and in the early career years as a consultant or surgeon until the highest echelons of the academic medical career [1 ▪▪ ,2,3].…”