Women, Surgeons, and the Innovation Pipeline

Abstract

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.

Keywords

technology - innovation - gender - diversity - inclusion - industry - surgery

Publication History

Article published online:
08 March 2023

• References

• 1 Biotechnology Innovation Organization and Coqual. Measuring diversity in the biotech industry: tracking progress in small and large companies. Accessed August 1, 2022 at: https://www.bio.org/sites/default/files/2022-06/261734_BIO_22_DEI_Report_P4.pdf
• 2 Association of American Medical Colleges. Diversity in medicine: facts and figures 2019. Accessed August 1, 2022 at: https://www.aamc.org/media/38266/download?attachment
• 3 Association of American Medical Colleges. ACGME residents and fellows by sex and specialty 2019. Accessed August 1, 2022 at: https://www.aamc.org/data-reports/interactive-data/acgme-residents-and-fellows-sex-and-specialty-2019
• 4 Khoushhal Z, Hussain MA, Greco E. et al. Prevalence and causes of attrition among surgical residents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Surg 2017; 152 (03) 265-272
• 5 Stephens EH, Heisler CA, Temkin SM, Miller P. The current status of women in surgery: how to affect the future. JAMA Surg 2020; 155 (09) 876-885
• 6 Hill C, Corbett C. St. Rose A. Why so few? women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics. Accessed August 1, 2022 at: https://www.aauw.org/app/uploads/2020/03/why-so-few-research.pdf
• 7 National Highway Traffic Safety Association. NHTSA's crash test dummies. Accessed September 13, 2022 at: https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsas-crash-test-dummies
• 8 Lawrence BL, Castor K, DeLauro RL, Norton EH, Schakowsky J. Female crash test dummies letter to DOT. Accessed October 1, 2022 at: https://lawrence.house.gov/sites/lawrence.house.gov/files/Signed%20-%20Female%20Crash%20Test%20Dummies%20Letter%20to%20DOT.pdf
• 9 Cooper K. In harm's way. Accessed October 1, 2022 at: https://www.bma.org.uk/news-and-opinion/in-harm-s-way
• 10 Koning R, Samila S, Ferguson JP. Who do we invent for? Patents by women focus more on women's health, but few women get to invent. Science 2021; 372 (6548): 1345-1348
• 11 Bittner A, Lau B. Women-led startups received just 2.3% or VC funding in 2020. Harvard Business Review. 2021 Accessed October 1, 2022 at: https://hbr.org/2021/02/women-led-startups-received-just-2-3-of-vc-funding-in-2020
• 12 Kostka P. More women became VC partners than ever before in 2019 but 65% of venture firms still have zero female partners. Medium. 2020 Accessed October 1, 2022 at: https://medium.com/allraise/more-women-became-vc-partners-than-ever-before-in-2019-39cc6cb86955
• 13 Sylla P. SAGES Innovation Week New Best Thing: Women in Innovation Panel. Video recording. SAGES. June 2022