Sylla Patricia, Uzor Nicole
Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York.
Department of Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York.
Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2023 Mar 8;36(5):342-346. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1764238. eCollection 2023 Sep.
The paucity of gender diversity in the biotech and medical/surgical technology fields remains a persistent challenge. Over the course of history, advancements have been made; however, women remain underrepresented in these sectors from the entry level to the leadership and corporate positions. Similarly, there is a notable lack of women-led startup teams obtaining funding from venture capitalists and fewer women-led teams submitting and securing patents. We will discuss current data surrounding the lack of gender diversity in these fields, explore parallels specifically between the lack of women in surgical specialties and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) pathways, and how this translates to the lack of women in the surgical and medical technology industry. We will also offer examples of the real-world ramifications of product development by teams not representative of the population. Lastly, we will offer recommendations and action items for companies, STEM educators, individuals, and allies that will continue to aid in improving gender diversity in the industry.
生物技术和医疗/外科技术领域缺乏性别多样性，这仍然是一个长期存在的挑战。在历史进程中虽有进步；然而，从入门级别到领导和企业职位，女性在这些领域的代表性仍然不足。同样，由女性领导的创业团队从风险投资家那里获得资金的情况明显较少，提交并获得专利的女性领导团队也更少。我们将讨论围绕这些领域缺乏性别多样性的当前数据，具体探讨外科专业领域女性缺失与科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）路径之间的相似之处，以及这如何导致外科和医疗技术行业女性的缺失。我们还将提供由不具有人群代表性的团队进行产品开发所产生的现实影响的例子。最后，我们将为公司、STEM教育工作者、个人和盟友提供建议及行动事项，这些将继续有助于改善该行业的性别多样性。
