Professional obstacles: A perception-based survey of women members of AO trauma - Latin America

Orthopaedic surgery remains one of the most homogenous fields in medicine, with men accounting for over 95% of all orthopaedic surgeons worldwide. Regardless of age, experience, or academic achievement, women orthopedists have historically been underrepresented in leadership positions, academic medicine, and specialty societies and associations. While these trends are recognized globally, limited studies examine gender-based dynamics in Latin America. This perception-based survey aims to bring awareness to the experiences and challenges of women members of AO Trauma Latin America (AO T Lat).

A questionnaire evaluating the experiences and challenges of women orthopedic surgeons was designed in collaboration with AO T Lat and several national Latin American orthopaedic societies. The questionnaire was divided into sections: demographics, motivations and opportunities, challenges and barriers, and AO-faculty-specific questions utilizing a 5-point Likert scale to rank items. The survey was distributed to women orthopaedic surgeons identified through AO T Lat, national orthopaedic societies, and professional networks throughout Latin America.

116 women responded to the survey, representing current or former AO T Lat members from 16 Latin American countries. Intellectual stimulation and personal gratification and desire to work "hands-on" were the strongest motivators for specializing in orthopaedics (91%). Most respondents agreed with statements that they felt supported, included, and equal as women in AO Trauma, although there was a wide distribution of scores pertaining to these perceptions. Argentina, Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico had sufficient respondents to evaluate statistically significant differences between these countries. The extent to which respondents felt included in their national AO chapter varied significantly between countries (p = 0.022), as did the perceived equality for faculty opportunities between men and women within the respondents' country (p = 0.05).

Perspectives expressed by women members of Latin America's largest international orthopaedic trauma surgeon organization, AO T Lat, provide insight into their views on the support they receive and the biases they experience. Understanding these perceptions will assist in developing strategies for the continued diversification of the field of orthopaedic trauma, in Latin America and other regions globally.