In the news section of our website, we highlighted a recent study examining the beliefs and expectations of female O&P clinicians regarding career advancement and leadership opportunities. In a social media poll we asked why the glass ceiling exists for women. 49 percent said discrimination was the biggest factor; 28 percent said stereotypes were to blame; 15 percent said domestic tasks; and eight percent said the reason was because women lacked experience.
Said one follower, “I believe this does exist in O&P. I’ve seen ladies in our industry underestimated, including my wife. She is now the CEO of our company and even still a corporate director in our region (competing organization) made the statement before their closure, ‘Don’t worry, they won’t make it because she is a mother.’”
Another follower, a woman, posted, “I find this interesting. I’ve not experienced this in my 30-plus years as an orthotist.”
The Fourth of July fell on a Friday this year, hopefully giving most everyone an extra day off. We asked our followers what they had planned to mark Independence Day and the long weekend. Fifty percent said they were attending or hosting a barbecue; 29 percent said they were planning to catch a fireworks display, and 21 percent said they had plans to start a new tradition. None of our followers had plans to attend a ballgame, which we thought would be fun possibility.
For our latest poll, we’re asking about a topic in the July issue about whether O&P is ready for eco-friendly fabrication. So far, our followers don’t think it is.
Tell us what you think. We’d love to hear from you.
Vote now on LinkedIn or Twitter!
