Women in German Neurosurgery: Status and Representation at Annual National Meetings

Abstract

Background

Few women have ascended the professional-academic ladder to become chairs of German neurosurgical departments. Indeed, only 2 out of 36 current departmental heads are female. This study aims to assess the current representation and role of women in German neurosurgery and to identify indicators of how these aspects will progress.

Methods

National statistics concerning the gender distribution of neurosurgery specialists over the past 20 y and the gender distribution across DGNC (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie - German Society of Neurosurgery) membership grades from 2016 to 2018 were obtained from the Federal Statistical Office and the DGNC, respectively. Additionally, the programmes of DGNC annual meetings from 2015 to 2018 were evaluated to determine the number of presentations and speaking time awarded to male and female presenters.

Results

In 2017, 19% of neurosurgical specialists were female. In the same year, overall 13% of the members of the DGNC were female. There were a higher proportion of females among extraordinary members. In the last 4 y, females were overall responsible for less than a third of presentations at the annual DGNC meetings. There was also a decrease of female participation from 2015 to 2018, with regard to both overall amount of presentations and speaking time. Female participation was overall higher for presentation types typically associated with lower academic and clinical positions and which cover shorter speaking times.

Conclusions

In Germany, which has one of Europe’s largest neurosurgical communities, female neurosurgeons remain a minority. Structured programmes to support gender equality and diversity could facilitate the rise of women to senior positions and close the gender gap.