Chronic Imbalance? Gender Disparities in Gastroenterology Across a Decade of the Visceral Medicine Congress in Germany

Abstract

Background and aims

Despite efforts toward gender equality, disparities persist in medical careers and leadership. This study examines gender representation in gastroenterology at the German Visceral Medicine Congress from 2013 to 2024, focusing on changes over time.

Methods

Programs from 1,333 sessions were analyzed for gender ratios of speakers and chairs, including plenary, ab-stract, and industry sessions, plus congress presidents and awardees. Trends were assessed via linear regression and Cochran-Armitage tests.

Results

Trend analysis revealed a significant increase in female speakers (r²=0.599, p=0.005) and chairpersons (r²=0.747, p<0.001). Female speaker proportions rose significantly in plenary (r²=0.600, p=0.005), abstract (r²=0.445, p=0.025), and industry sessions (r²=0.641, p=0.003), but did not reach parity. Female chairs showed stronger upward trends: plenary (r²=0.807, p<0.001), abstract (r²=0.490, p=0.016), industry (r²=0.729, p<0.001). Congress presidencies remained all male, and 75–93% of awards went to men.

Conclusion

Female representation, especially in chair roles, has improved since the 2019 parity resolution but remains insufficient in key areas. Ongoing gender-sensitive planning and support are needed to foster a more inclusive academic environment.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund und Zielsetzung

Trotz Bemühungen um Geschlechtergerechtigkeit bestehen weiterhin Disparitäten in medizinischen Karrieren und Führungspositionen. Diese Studie untersucht die Geschlechterrepräsentation in der Gastroenterologie beim Deutschen Viszeralmedizin-Kongress von 2013 bis 2024 mit Fokus auf zeitliche Veränderungen.

Methoden

Die Programme von 1333 Sitzungen wurden hinsichtlich der Geschlechterverteilung von Vortragenden und Sitzungsleitern analysiert, darunter Plenar-, Abstract- und Industriesitzungen sowie Kongresspräsident:innen und Preisträger:innen. Trends wurden mittels linearer Regression und Cochran-Armitage-Test bewertet.

Ergebnisse

Es zeigte sich ein signifikanter Anstieg weiblicher Referentinnen (r²=0.599, p=0.005) und Sitzungsleiterinnen (r²=0.747, p<0.001). Der Anteil weiblicher Referentinnen stieg signifikant in Plenar- (r²=0.600, p=0.005), Abstract- (r²=0.445, p=0.025) und Industriesitzungen (r²=0.641, p=0.003), erreichte jedoch keine Parität. Weibliche Sitzungsleiterinnen zeigten stärkere Zuwächse: Plenar- (r²=0.807, p<0.001), Abstract- (r²=0.490, p=0.016) und Industriesitzungen (r²=0.729, p<0.001). Kongresspräsidentschaften blieben vollends männlich dominiert, ebenso erhielten 75–93% der Preise Männer.

Schlussfolgerung

Die weibliche Repräsentation, insbesondere bei Sitzungsleitungen, hat sich seit der Paritätsresolution 2019 verbessert, bleibt jedoch in zentralen Bereichen unzureichend. Fortgesetzte geschlechtersensible Planung und institutionelle Unterstützung sind erforderlich, um eine inklusivere akademische Umgebung zu fördern.

Keywords

gender gap - gender disparities - visceral medicine congress - gastroenterology - women in medicine

Schlüsselwörter

Geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede - Geschlechterdisparitäten - Kongress für Viszeral Medizin - Gastroenterologie - Frauen in der Medizin

^* Shared first authorship.

Publication History

Received: 30 June 2025

Accepted after revision: 12 September 2025

Article published online:
07 October 2025

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