Global Challenges for Aspiring Advanced Endoscopists: An International Perspective

Aims Advanced endoscopy presents unique challenges, particularly for aspiring female endoscopists. As part of the Women in Endoscopy Mentorship Program, the authors conducted an international survey to investigate the barriers to success in this field. The study explores the demographic and professional factors that influence career trajectories and identifies strategies to overcome common obstacles. It focuses on assessing the global challenges faced by aspiring advanced endoscopists, with an emphasis on regional differences between Europe/North America (EU/NA) and the rest of the world (RoW).

Methods A cross-sectional survey was distributed to endoscopists of all experience levels through LinkedIn, Twitter, and the Women in Endoscopy network. The questionnaire collected demographic data, work environment details, and insights on burnout, mentorship, leadership, and career progression. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were performed using SPSS version 30 to compare responses between EU/NA and RoW participants [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8].

Results A total of 220 responses were received, with 162 (73.6%) from EU/NA and 58 (26.4%) from RoW. A higher proportion of EU/NA respondents reported access to structured Advanced Endoscopy (AE) programs (45.7% vs. 34.5%, p=0.092), though this difference did not reach statistical significance. No significant regional differences were observed in mentorship access (65.4% in EU/NA vs. 60.3% in RoW, p=0.295). A higher percentage of female endoscopists worked in units with>50% female representation in EU/NA (21.6%) compared to RoW (10.3%), but this difference was not statistically significant. A significantly higher proportion of GI physicians in EU/NA worked more than 60 hours per week (83% vs. 62%, p=0.044). RoW respondents were more likely to feel they were offered equal opportunities at the same time as their opposite-gender colleagues (65.5% vs. 51.2%, p=0.042). Finally, RoW respondents were more likely to recommend gastroenterology as a specialty (98.3% vs. 91.4%, p=0.054), which approached statistical significance.

Conclusions This international survey highlights regional differences in the challenges faced by aspiring advanced endoscopists. While mentorship participation and burnout rates were similar across regions, disparities in female representation and working hours point to areas that require targeted improvements. Notably, access to structured AE programs was limited in both EU/NA and RoW, with a significant proportion of respondents reporting insufficient access, despite the result not reaching statistical significance. This may be due to the uneven regional representation in the survey, as it was distributed through specific networks, which may not have fully captured the diversity of experiences in all regions. Efforts should focus on fostering greater diversity within the workforce, improving work-life balance, and expanding mentorship opportunities, particularly in regions with lower diversity and limited AE training access.

Publication History

Article published online:
27 March 2025

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