Strategies to advance gender equity in anaesthesia leadership: a state-of-the-art review

Gender equity for anaesthetists remains elusive, despite patient and clinician benefits. Many strategies have been proposed to promote gender equity, yet women remain under-represented in anaesthesia leadership compared with men. This review identifies contemporary implemented strategies to improve gender equity in anaesthesia leadership.

We searched databases for studies published from January 2019 to March 2024, including reports of implementation. We employed state-of-the-art review methodology to provide a current understanding of this complex sociocultural problem, using Cook's and Stufflebeam frameworks for categorisation and deductive data extraction and analysis based on context, inputs, processes and outcomes.

We screened 257 abstracts and identified 18 studies for analysis; 14 were conducted in the USA. The most prominent individual interventions were mentorship and sponsorship. These were supported by organisational interventions including professional development curricula; policies; and leadership roles supporting diversity. Two studies reported how programmes were iteratively developed. Reported success metrics included quantitative (increased diversity in leadership, achieving promotion) and qualitative outcomes (networks and wellbeing).

Evidence for best practices to address gender equity in anaesthesia leadership is emerging. Prospective determination of key outcomes enables monitoring of success, including representation and wellbeing. Organisational support, in the form of policies and leadership roles linked to diversity outcomes, amplifies the benefits of mentorship and sponsorship. Future interventions should report the context in which the interventions were mobilised, associated costs and details of the iterative programme delivery and development process.