A205 A SNAPSHOT OF WOMEN IN GASTROENTEROLOGY IN CANADA: PICTURE PERFECT?

BACKGROUND: Graduating medical school classes in Canada are now 50% or more female. The number of staff gastroenterologists in Canada has been on the rise in the last 20 years but female representation has stayed disproportionately low (30%). AIMS: To determine proportionate female representation in gastroenterology (GI) at residency, attending and leadership levels. METHODS: The Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) was used to obtain data for residency program applicants and matched trainees by gender from 2014–2018. General internal medicine (GIM), general surgery (GS) were analyzed for the PGY1 match. GI and cardiology were analyzed for the PGY4 match. An internet search was conducted for national and provincial gastroenterology associations to determine presidential history by gender (run date July 31, 2018). Similar searches for university affiliated GI training programs directors and academic university GI division heads by gender were conducted. RESULTS: PGY1 match 2014–2018: In GIM, the average number of annual applicants was 1789 (49.4% female). The average number of matched applicants was 487 (49.5% female). In GS, the average number of annual applicants was 357 (41% female). The average number of matched applicants was 90 (54.4% female). PGY4 match 2014–2018): In GI, the average number of applicants annually was 46 (37% female). The average number of matched applicants was 34, (35.3% female). In cardiology, the average number of annual applicants was 76 (29% female). The average number of matched applicants was 54 (27.8% female). Only one major national GI organization was identified, the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG). Three provincial organizations were identified (Ontario Association of Gastroenterology (OAG), Alberta Society of Gastroenterology (ASG) and Association of Gastroenterologists of Quebec (AGQ)). A review of complete historical data on past presidents by gender revealed the following: In CAG’s 60-year history, only 2/47 (4%) female presidents have ever been elected. In OAG’s 22-year history, no (0/9) female presidents have ever been elected. In AGQ’s 52-year history, 1/14 (7%) of presidents have been female. In ASG’s 8-year history, 1/4 (25%) of presidents have been female. Only 2018 data was available for academic leadership positions. At the time of the search, university division heads across Canada were 0% female (0/15). University GI training program directors across Canada in 2018 were 27% female (4/15). CONCLUSIONS: Despite gender equivalency in medical school and GIM, women are under-represented in GI (similar to other procedure sub-specialties such as cardiology). They are also under-represented in major GI leadership roles, demonstrating a need for targeted intervention. FUNDING AGENCIES: None