In Defence of Potassium
Authors: F. Sutton
Journal: BMJ (1940)

<h3>Background:</h3> The Italian Society for Rheumatology (SIR) comprises committees for Rheumatologists under the age of 40 (SIRyoung) and for Women in Rheumatology (Reumatologhe Donne – ReDO). As female representation is increasing in rheumatology worldwide [1], there has been interest in assessing gender-related issues. <h3>Objectives:</h3> To describe the gender distribution among young members of SIR and academic positions in Rheumatology in Italy. To assess the expectations and needs of young rheumatologists with regard to their career. <h3>Methods:</h3> SIRyoung members developed a web-based survey which was distributed among SIR members under the age of 40 during the spring of 2019. Responses were collected and analysed anonymously. ReDO retrieved and analysed the data regarding academic positions in Italy in September 2019 from official data by “Ministry of Education, University and Research” (www.miur.it). <h3>Results:</h3> Out of 478 SIR members under 40 (66.5% F), 113 (23.7%) completed the SIRyoung survey (62.1% F). Regarding career plans, male and female members responded: hospital physician (36.9% vs 37.8%), outpatient clinic physician (18.5% vs 28.3%), academic career (23.9% vs 22.8%), private practice (16.3% vs 9.4%), and industry (4.3 vs 1.6%), respectively. When asked about their interest in doing a fellowship in another national center or abroad, 60.8% of male and 72.8% of female respondents were interested but thought they could not afford it. Reasons reported by males and females were: working reasons, namely barriers to temporarily leave the workplace (61.3% vs 50.7%), family reasons (16.1% vs 25.4%), financial reasons (22.6% vs 16.5%), respectively. As for academic rheumatology in Italy, 113 positions were retrieved. Men held 64 positions (57%) and women 49 (43%). Full professors were mostly men (92%), while assistant professors were women in 65% of the cases (58% of those with a permanent position; 72% of those with a temporary position) (Figure) [2]. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> Our study explored for the first time gender distribution and related issues in Rheumatology in Italy. Female representation accounts for two thirds of SIR members under 40. This could reflect the general trend of medical school being chosen more often by women than men. No differences were observed in the career expectations of male and female rheumatologists. Interestingly, nearly one fourth of female respondents were interested in academic career, confirming the trend toward female predominance observed for assistant professors. Therefore, it is likely that the next generation of full professors will have a balanced gender distribution, as it is already for associate professors. The choice of a fellowship is still hampered by several problems, but it seems that reasons for not pursuing such opportunities are similarly distributed in males and females. Although family reasons tend to be more frequent in female rheumatologists, this is not significant as compared to men. This could indicate that family affects career choices of both male and female rheumatologists. It is important that national societies promote surveys for the assessment of gender specific issues among their members, in order to identify unmet needs and design interventions for career support regardless of gender. <h3>References:</h3> [1]Andreoli L, et al. Joint, Bone, Spine: Revue du Rhumatisme. 2019;86(6):669-672. [2]Bosello SL, et al. Reumatismo 2020; in press. <h3>Acknowledgments:</h3> SIRyoung and ReDO wish to thank the Steering Committee of SIR <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> Laura Andreoli: None declared, Stefano Alivernini: None declared, Alessia Alunno: None declared, Silvia Laura Bosello: None declared, Cecilia Chighizola: None declared, Paola Conigliaro: None declared, Elisa Gremese Speakers bureau: Abbvie, BMS, Celgene, Jannsen, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Sandoz, UCB, Cristina Iannuccelli: None declared, Luca Quartuccio Consultant of: Abbvie, Bristol, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Pfizer, Francesca Romana Spinelli Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Consultant of: Novartis, Gilead, Lilly, Sanofi, Celgene, Speakers bureau: Lilly, Marta Vadacca: None declared, Maria Sole Chimenti: None declared