Women in anaesthesia: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Medical Specialties
• Anesthesiology
• Gender Studies

Background:

• Women are increasingly entering anesthesiology but remain underrepresented in academic and leadership positions.
• Factors contributing to this disparity include unsupportive work environments, lack of mentorship, and work-life balance challenges.
• Existing literature highlights gender biases affecting career progression and representation in anesthesiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of existing literature on gender issues in anesthesiology.
• To identify research gaps concerning women's representation in leadership and academic roles.
• To evaluate strategies for enhancing gender equity within the anesthesiology field.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was performed across PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases up to July 2019.
• Thirty studies employing retrospective and survey methodologies were included in the analysis.
• The review synthesized findings on gender disparities and proposed interventions.

Main Results:

• Women anesthesiologists encounter workplace biases and are underrepresented in leadership, influential positions, and as authors.
• Work-life demands present a significant challenge to career advancement for women in anesthesiology.
• Motivation and interest in career progression among women anesthesiologists remain under-researched.

Conclusions:

• Gender inequity persists in anesthesiology, with women facing barriers in academic and leadership roles.
• Addressing these disparities requires a multi-faceted approach, including individual and administrative strategies.
• Further research is needed to understand the career motivations of women anesthesiologists and to develop effective interventions.