Representation of Male and Female Orthopedic Surgeons in Specialty Societies

Women represent only 15.3% of all residents and fellows in the field of orthopedic surgery. The rate of increase of women in the field of orthopedics continues to lag behind all other surgical specialties. The purpose of this study was 2-fold: (1) to evaluate male/female representation in orthopedic specialty societies and (2) to examine the involvement of male/female orthopedic surgeons on committees, in leadership roles, at annual meetings, and in receipt of monetary awards. A 12-question, anonymous survey was distributed to the executive directors of all 23 orthopedic specialty societies. The survey included questions about the breakdown of male/female membership as well as male/female orthopedic surgeon participation in various functions of the society. Fourteen (60.9%) of 23 executive directors from orthopedic specialty societies responded to the survey. Seven (50.0%) of 14 survey respondents reported society membership of more than 1000. Six (42.9%) of 14 survey respondents reported male membership of more than 1000, while only the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society reported female membership of more than 1000. Eleven (78.6%) of 14 survey respondents (eg, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine) reported having more than 10 men in leadership positions, whereas 13 (92.9%) of 14 respondents reported 10 or fewer women in leadership positions. Most orthopedic specialty societies have lower female than male membership, fewer women in leadership positions, and fewer monetary awards granted to women compared with men. This disparity was more evident in anatomic societies (eg, American Association of Hip & Knee Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) compared with general orthopedic societies (eg, Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society, Orthopaedic Research Society). Female orthopedic surgeons remain underrepresented in orthopedic specialty societies. [Orthopedics. 2021;44(5):289-292.].