AOA: Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Session BOA 2020

Description

In this presentation at the British Orthopaedic Association's Virtual Annual Scientific Meeting, Dr. Andrew Ellis, the President of the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA), and Dr. Jennifer Green, the AOA Orthopaedic Women's Link Chair, initiate a discussion on the journey towards achieving gender diversity and inclusion in orthopedic surgery. They highlight the significant gender imbalance in the orthopedic workforce, revealed in a 2016 government report, which prompted the AOA to develop a strategic plan aimed at promoting a culture of inclusion and addressing diversity barriers.



The conversation touches on the importance of diverse representation, citing research that shows organizations with greater diversity attract top talent and make better decisions. Ellis and Green discuss the barriers to diversity, including lack of visible role models, workplace inflexibility, and unconscious bias, and express their commitment to creating a supportive environment for women in the field.



Green mentions initiatives like increasing female applicant rates to around 20-25%, diversity education for trainees, and engagement through workshops and social media to foster interest in orthopedics among young women. They also discuss changes in traditionally male-dominated practices, such as ensuring female representation on interview panels, to combat bias in trainee selection processes.



Ellis emphasizes the AOA's overall goals of flexibility in training and promoting work-life balance within orthopedic careers. They conclude that while challenges remain, significant progress has been made towards a diverse and inclusive orthopedic community, reflecting the broader Australian society.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-210037

Specialties