AOFAS on the Same Page: Advocacy for Women in Orthopaedics (Cohosted by Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society)-Next Steps: Advocating for Women in Orthopaedic Surgery

Next Steps: Advocating for Women in Orthopaedic Surgery

Pdf Summary

Orthopaedic surgery has the lowest diversity among all medical specialties, both in terms of sex and race. Women make up only 6% of orthopaedic surgeons and 16% of orthopaedic surgery trainees. This lack of diversity limits the potential of the profession and creates barriers for women in terms of training, career satisfaction, and success. Women in orthopaedics often face sexual harassment, discrimination, and implicit bias, which further contribute to the lack of diversity in the field. Women also have poor visibility in leadership positions, which hinders recruitment of more women into the profession.<br /><br />In order to address these issues, there are several recommended initiatives. First, support for pipeline programs that increase diversity in the candidate pool is essential. Early exposure and hands-on experience can help attract more women to orthopaedic surgery. Second, there needs to be acknowledgement, education, and corrective action regarding sexual harassment and implicit bias. Institutions and organizations must adopt a zero-tolerance policy for such behaviors and create a culture that embraces diversity and inclusion. Third, qualified and capable women should be actively sponsored by organizational leaders, who can promote their visibility, advocate for their promotion, and connect them to career opportunities and senior leaders. Lastly, women in orthopaedics should be given the opportunity to contribute their diverse viewpoints to research, practice problems, and clinical conundrums in the field, which can improve patient outcomes and strengthen the profession.<br /><br />The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has recognized the need to increase diversity and has included diversity goals and strategies in their 2019-2023 Strategic Plan. These include supporting pipeline programs, addressing sexual harassment and implicit bias, and promoting inclusive leadership. Efforts to increase diversity in orthopaedics should be comprehensive and require the commitment and action of academic institutions, professional societies, and individual leaders in the field.

Keywords

Orthopaedic surgery

Diversity

Sex

Race

Training

Sexual harassment

Implicit bias

Leadership positions

Recruitment

Pipeline programs