Proportion of Female Speakers at Academic Medical Conferences Across Multiple Specialties and Regions

Abstract

Importance: Women in medicine have been underrepresented at medical conferences; however, contributing factors have not been well studied. Objective: To examine the distribution of invited conference speakers by gender and factors associated with representation of women as speakers. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional analysis used medical conference programs from March 2017 to November 2018 across 20 specialties in 5 regions (Australasia, Canada, Europe, the UK, and the US) that were obtained online or from conference conveners. Exposures: Gender of invited lecturers, panelists, and planning committee members for each conference based on name or picture and publicly avai..