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- Talk
- 09/06/2022
- CANADA
COA Featured Talk: Experiences of Canadian Female Orthopaedic Surgeons in the Workplace – Defining the Barriers to Gender Equity
Description
Dr. Laurie Hiemstra is presented as an accomplished orthopedic surgeon and an advocate for gender diversity in the field of orthopedic surgery. The introduction, delivered by Hans Jurgen Kreder, highlights her impressive credentials, including her role as an associate professor at the University of Calgary, her research focus on knee injuries, and her active participation in various professional organizations. Notably, she is set to become the first female president of the Canadian Orthopedic Foundation, a position celebrated during the introduction.
In her subsequent presentation, Dr. Hiemstra shares insights from a study aimed at identifying barriers to gender equity faced by female orthopedic surgeons in Canada. Using a mixed-methods approach and a validated gender bias survey, the study garnered responses from 220 of 330 female orthopedic surgeons and trainees. Dr. Hiemstra discusses five key barriers: constrained communication, unequal standards, male culture, lack of mentoring, and workplace harassment. Through personal anecdotes and survey responses, she illustrates the challenges women encounter in a predominantly male field, emphasizing the need for systemic changes to foster a more equitable environment.
Dr. Hiemstra concludes with a call to action for both women and men in the field, stressing the importance of collective efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion within orthopedics, ultimately benefiting patients and the profession as a whole.