Perceptions regarding the impact of gender on training and career advancement among gastroenterologists in India and other South Asian countries

Shubhra Mishra; Anuraag Jena; Loren Galler Rabinowitz; Lubna Kamani; Mukesh Sharma Paudel; Madhumita Premkumar; Usha Dutta; Manu Tandan; Rakesh Kochhar; Vishal Sharma

doi:10.1007/s12664-024-01523-3

Perceptions regarding the impact of gender on training and career advancement among gastroenterologists in India and other South Asian countries

Indian J Gastroenterol. 2024 Mar 11. doi: 10.1007/s12664-024-01523-3. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ The Gastro Liver Hospital, Kanpur, 208 002, India. shubhra.mishra91@gmail.com.
² Department of Gastroenterology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160 012, India.
³ Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
⁴ Department of Gastroenterology, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan.
⁵ Department of Gastroenterology, National Academy of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal.
⁶ Department of Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160 012, India.
⁷ Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad, 500 082, India.
⁸ Department of Gastroenterology, Paras Hospitals, Panchkula, 134 109, India.

PMID: 38466552
DOI: 10.1007/s12664-024-01523-3

Abstract

Background: There are limited studies on the impact of gender on training and career advancement in gastroenterology.

Aim: The aim was to study this impact and understand the perceptions of work-life balance and beliefs regarding gender dynamics among gastroenterologists in India and other South Asian countries.

Methods: A web-based survey was conducted among trainees and attending physicians in South Asia from November 15, 2021, to March 30, 2022. The survey instrument had four components: demographic features, training, career advancement and work-life balance.

Results: As many as 622 gastroenterologists completed the survey, of which 467 responses were from India (mean age: 41.1 years; females: 11.5%). A higher proportion of female respondents from India believed that gender bias in recruiting and training had negatively impacted their careers (40.7% females vs. 1.5% males). Radiation hazard for fertility (11.1% females vs. 1.9% males, p < 0.001) and as a health concern (14.8% females vs. 5.1% males, p = 0.005) were significant career deterrents for females. A higher proportion of female participants from India faced a career interruption (59.3% females vs. 30.3% males, p ≤ 0.001). Common reasons were pregnancy (37%) and childcare provision (25.9%). More females believed that women were more productive than men (40.8% females vs. 16.9% males, p < 0.001) and that a salary gap existed (44.7% females vs. 29.1% males, p < 0.001). The incidence of self-perceived burnout was 63% among females and 51.6% among males (p = 0.115).

Conclusion: Gender-related factors impact the training and career of female gastroenterologists.

Keywords: Disparity; Diversity; Endoscopy; Equity; Gastroenterology; Inclusion; Inequality; Unequal.