Gender-based differences in career paths, parenthood and perspectives on professional barriers among Asian ophthalmologists
Background: Gender equality in Asia remains under-researched, especially within medical fields. This study explored gender-related differences among ophthalmologists in Asia. Design: Observational, cross-sectional survey study. Methods: An anonymous online survey was distributed across 21 Asian regi...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-10-01
|
| Series: | AJO International |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950253525000644 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849233481074212864 |
|---|---|
| author | Claire L Peterson Brian S.Y. Yeo Shelley Yin-Hsi Chang Rachel S Chong Marcus Ang Anna CS Tan Tina Wong Andrew S.H. Tsai |
| author_facet | Claire L Peterson Brian S.Y. Yeo Shelley Yin-Hsi Chang Rachel S Chong Marcus Ang Anna CS Tan Tina Wong Andrew S.H. Tsai |
| author_sort | Claire L Peterson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Gender equality in Asia remains under-researched, especially within medical fields. This study explored gender-related differences among ophthalmologists in Asia. Design: Observational, cross-sectional survey study. Methods: An anonymous online survey was distributed across 21 Asian regions via the Young Ophthalmologist network (June–July 2024), examining career paths, leadership, research, parenthood and gender-related workplace experiences. Results: A total of 242 cisgendered ophthalmologists from 20 regions responded; 163(67%) identified as women. Although most institutions had gender-balanced workforces, gender disparities persisted. Men were more likely than women to pursue surgically-oriented subspecialties such as surgical retina and cornea (M83% VS W52%, p=0.02). Women reported a greater impact on parenthood on subspecialty choice (W54% vs M28%, p<0.001) and career progression (W64% vs M39%, p<0.001). Women were also more likely to work part-time due to family commitments.While overall leadership, academic positions and research output were similar, head of department roles in particular were predominantly held by men (62%), with women perceiving they had less opportunities in leadership (W61% vs M90%, p<0.001) and research (W80%, M93%, p=0.01) compared to their male counterparts, and reporting a need to champion women in these areas. Women also experienced more gender discrimination and sexual harassment from their patients, colleagues, and bosses of the opposite sex compared to men(p<0.05). Conclusion: Women contribute significantly to ophthalmology in Asia but gender-related disparities remain for subspecialty choice, perceived leadership and research opportunities, parenthood, discrimination and harassment. Addressing these through mentorship, education, flexible career support, advocacy and institutional reform is essential to achieving gender equity in all areas of ophthalmology. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7ab92c0943cb4e938cdff78923434014 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2950-2535 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-10-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | AJO International |
| spelling | doaj-art-7ab92c0943cb4e938cdff789234340142025-08-20T05:08:33ZengElsevierAJO International2950-25352025-10-012310016110.1016/j.ajoint.2025.100161Gender-based differences in career paths, parenthood and perspectives on professional barriers among Asian ophthalmologistsClaire L Peterson0Brian S.Y. Yeo1Shelley Yin-Hsi Chang2Rachel S Chong3Marcus Ang4Anna CS Tan5Tina Wong6Andrew S.H. Tsai7Singapore National Eye Centre, 11 Third Hospital Avenue, 168751, Singapore; Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Eye-ACP, Duke-NUS Medical School, SingaporeYong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, SingaporeDepartment of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, TaiwanSingapore National Eye Centre, 11 Third Hospital Avenue, 168751, Singapore; Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Eye-ACP, Duke-NUS Medical School, SingaporeSingapore National Eye Centre, 11 Third Hospital Avenue, 168751, Singapore; Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Eye-ACP, Duke-NUS Medical School, SingaporeSingapore National Eye Centre, 11 Third Hospital Avenue, 168751, Singapore; Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Eye-ACP, Duke-NUS Medical School, SingaporeSingapore National Eye Centre, 11 Third Hospital Avenue, 168751, Singapore; Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Eye-ACP, Duke-NUS Medical School, SingaporeSingapore National Eye Centre, 11 Third Hospital Avenue, 168751, Singapore; Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Eye-ACP, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Corresponding author at: Singapore National Eye Centre, 11 Third Hospital Avenue, 168751, SingaporeBackground: Gender equality in Asia remains under-researched, especially within medical fields. This study explored gender-related differences among ophthalmologists in Asia. Design: Observational, cross-sectional survey study. Methods: An anonymous online survey was distributed across 21 Asian regions via the Young Ophthalmologist network (June–July 2024), examining career paths, leadership, research, parenthood and gender-related workplace experiences. Results: A total of 242 cisgendered ophthalmologists from 20 regions responded; 163(67%) identified as women. Although most institutions had gender-balanced workforces, gender disparities persisted. Men were more likely than women to pursue surgically-oriented subspecialties such as surgical retina and cornea (M83% VS W52%, p=0.02). Women reported a greater impact on parenthood on subspecialty choice (W54% vs M28%, p<0.001) and career progression (W64% vs M39%, p<0.001). Women were also more likely to work part-time due to family commitments.While overall leadership, academic positions and research output were similar, head of department roles in particular were predominantly held by men (62%), with women perceiving they had less opportunities in leadership (W61% vs M90%, p<0.001) and research (W80%, M93%, p=0.01) compared to their male counterparts, and reporting a need to champion women in these areas. Women also experienced more gender discrimination and sexual harassment from their patients, colleagues, and bosses of the opposite sex compared to men(p<0.05). Conclusion: Women contribute significantly to ophthalmology in Asia but gender-related disparities remain for subspecialty choice, perceived leadership and research opportunities, parenthood, discrimination and harassment. Addressing these through mentorship, education, flexible career support, advocacy and institutional reform is essential to achieving gender equity in all areas of ophthalmology.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950253525000644Gender equityGender diversityGender advocacyWomen in ophthalmologyWomen in leadershipWomen in research |
| spellingShingle | Claire L Peterson Brian S.Y. Yeo Shelley Yin-Hsi Chang Rachel S Chong Marcus Ang Anna CS Tan Tina Wong Andrew S.H. Tsai Gender-based differences in career paths, parenthood and perspectives on professional barriers among Asian ophthalmologists AJO International Gender equity Gender diversity Gender advocacy Women in ophthalmology Women in leadership Women in research |
| title | Gender-based differences in career paths, parenthood and perspectives on professional barriers among Asian ophthalmologists |
| title_full | Gender-based differences in career paths, parenthood and perspectives on professional barriers among Asian ophthalmologists |
| title_fullStr | Gender-based differences in career paths, parenthood and perspectives on professional barriers among Asian ophthalmologists |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gender-based differences in career paths, parenthood and perspectives on professional barriers among Asian ophthalmologists |
| title_short | Gender-based differences in career paths, parenthood and perspectives on professional barriers among Asian ophthalmologists |
| title_sort | gender based differences in career paths parenthood and perspectives on professional barriers among asian ophthalmologists |
| topic | Gender equity Gender diversity Gender advocacy Women in ophthalmology Women in leadership Women in research |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950253525000644 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT clairelpeterson genderbaseddifferencesincareerpathsparenthoodandperspectivesonprofessionalbarriersamongasianophthalmologists AT briansyyeo genderbaseddifferencesincareerpathsparenthoodandperspectivesonprofessionalbarriersamongasianophthalmologists AT shelleyyinhsichang genderbaseddifferencesincareerpathsparenthoodandperspectivesonprofessionalbarriersamongasianophthalmologists AT rachelschong genderbaseddifferencesincareerpathsparenthoodandperspectivesonprofessionalbarriersamongasianophthalmologists AT marcusang genderbaseddifferencesincareerpathsparenthoodandperspectivesonprofessionalbarriersamongasianophthalmologists AT annacstan genderbaseddifferencesincareerpathsparenthoodandperspectivesonprofessionalbarriersamongasianophthalmologists AT tinawong genderbaseddifferencesincareerpathsparenthoodandperspectivesonprofessionalbarriersamongasianophthalmologists AT andrewshtsai genderbaseddifferencesincareerpathsparenthoodandperspectivesonprofessionalbarriersamongasianophthalmologists |