A snapshot of equality and diversity among UK vascular surgery trainees

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Increasing equality and diversity, widening access and maintaining a work–life balance are important aims for the future surgical workforce. The executive committee of the Rouleaux Club (the trainee association of vascular surgeons in the UK) sought to ensure that it represented its members fairly by establishing the diversity of the vascular surgery training workforce. METHODS The Rouleaux Club committee devised an anonymous online survey covering an extensive topic range (including sex and gender identity, ethnicity, less than full-time working and children). The link to the questionnaire was distributed via email to all members, via social media and via pre-existing mailing lists. The survey was open for four weeks (26 September to 23 October 2020). RESULTS A total of 117 vascular trainees participated in our survey (55% of 213 known with a national training number). There were 48 female (41%) and 69 male respondents (59%). This ratio is better than the national average in surgical specialties (35% female trainees) but lower than that in medical specialties (57%). One respondent’s gender identity did not align with their biological sex. Almost two-thirds (60%) of the respondents were White. The ethnic backgrounds of the remaining trainees were Asian (24%), Arab (5%), Black (4%) and mixed (5%). Two trainees preferred not to state their ethnicity. The majority of the respondents (n=101, 86%) were heterosexual/straight, three (3%) identified as bisexual and two (2%) as gay. Eleven participants (9%) indicated that they preferred not to answer this question. Ten trainees (10/101, 10%) stated that they had worked less than full time at some point during their training. Three of these continue to work less than full time. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first of its kind to assess the equality and diversity of the vascular trainee workforce; improvements can only be made if baseline data are known. The Rouleaux Club confirms that it represents its members fairly.