Representation of women in musculoskeletal radiology conferences in Europe and North and South Americas: an estimation and comparative analysis

Abstract

Objective: To assess gender distribution and disparities in the musculoskeletal field at radiology conferences and to identify factors associated with the imbalance of women speakers.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated publicly available data online from musculoskeletal radiology conference programs from radiological societies across Europe, North America (NA), and South America (SA) from 2016 to 2020. The gender of invited speakers, moderators, and planning committee members and the occurrence of single-gender panels for musculoskeletal and plenary sessions were assessed.

Results: A total of 531 sessions, 2580 speakers, 603 moderators, and 231 planning committee members were assessed. Women accounted for 26.6% of total speakers (p<0.001), 33.3% of moderators (p<0.001), and 31.2% of planning committee members (p=0.381). All-male panels were 26.7%, with 21.1% of women moderating these panels (p<0.001). The proportion of women speakers in musculoskeletal and plenary sessions was 29.7% and 34.6% in NA (p=0.035, p=0.052), 26.6% and 25.0% in Europe (p<0.001, p=0.199), and 12.9% and 13.6% in SA (p<0.001). The proportion of women moderators was 35.0% in NA (p=0.002), 37.1% in Europe (p=0.914), and 13.8% in SA (p<0.001). A linear relationship was observed in the proportion of women speakers, moderators, and members of the planning committee (p<0.05).

Conclusion: We evaluated the participation of women speakers in musculoskeletal radiology conference programs, with significant differences in Europe and South America in all years evaluated, and the participation of women moderators with significant differences in South America and in all-male panels in all regions. Acknowledging gender biases and increasing the number of women on planning committees may help address gender imbalance and promote gender equity.

Keywords: Gender equality; Gender-gap; Musculoskeletal; Musculoskeletal conferences; Women in radiology; Women underrepresentation.