Q&A: Unrecognized Biases in the Endoscopy Suite

Q&A with Amrita Sethi, MD, MASGE, NYSGEF, founder and president of Women in Endoscopy (WIE), on the importance of women in the field.

Why is endoscopy a male-dominated field?
Research shows that some of the reasons for these disparities are a lack of women mentors visibly performing complex procedures, perceptions of difficulties with work/life balance or concerns for difficulties with pregnancy and fertility. These surveys also find that women feel the current equipment is ergonomically challenging and unsafe. There are also unrecognized biases that exist in the endoscopy suite between physician colleagues as well as nurses that can deter women from the field.

Why is it important for women to be in this field?
Patients have gender preferences. Surveys from the Middle East suggest as many as 60% of female patients have a preference (for a female physician) and will delay their care until this can be arranged. We also need more women in the field to serve as mentors and role models to help those entering the field navigate difficult situations. Furthermore, women can provide unique perspectives that can improve our tools, techniques and environment.

How did WIE come about?
The initial idea started in 2015, after surveying women endoscopists to gauge interest. We officially became a society in 2016. The mission of WIE is to champion the advancement of women through education, professional growth and leadership development. We wanted to create a network of women endoscopists who promote each other in the field and serve as mentors. We hope to help manage misperceptions that might deter women from entering the field and demonstrate the diversity of careers that can exist in endoscopy.

What endoscopic innovations are you most excited about?
I think AI may revolutionize both the outcomes we can provide our patients and physician well-being. It may allow us to become more human in the way we care for our patients and ourselves as we practice medicine. It has the potential to be a neutralizer with respect to gender, racial and cultural disparities. Ergonomics is another exciting and necessary area of development. I think we will see paradigm shifts in the way we consider development of equipment and techniques, including robotics. VR/AR training is yet another promising area. It may increase access to endoscopic education, so we can see improvements in diversity of providers that ultimately results in improved care for our patients. OSM