The glass ceiling, a metaphorical barrier hindering women’s career advancement, is prevalent across various job sectors, including healthcare. A team of researchers investigated the glass ceiling phenomenon in O&P, where women, despite growing representation in the profession, are underrepresented in leadership roles. The researchers conducted a two-section survey examining the beliefs and expectations of female prosthetists and orthotists regarding career advancement and leadership opportunities.
The first section was general demographic questions, and any gender could participate, and the second section was assessed beliefs about the glass ceiling and only female practitioners could participate. The survey evaluated four factors (denial, resilience, acceptance, and resignation) to understand how women perceive their ability to break through the glass ceiling. All individuals with a professional qualification in prosthetics and/or orthotics were eligible to participate. The survey was distributed worldwide through the International Society of Prosthetics & Orthotics and other professional associations. The survey was opened in April 2021 and remained active for six months.
The 100 participants who completed the survey were mainly from North America, Europe, and Australia. Findings revealed that factors like age, marital status, and salary were significant predictors of different belief scores, particularly with respect to career acceptance and denial, according to the study’s authors. The results highlighted that women’s beliefs about their career advancement were influenced by their personal life situations, such as having children, and the number of years of professional experience.
The study concluded with calls for organizational reforms to address gender inequalities by implementing policies that support work-life balance, mentoring, and career development. It also emphasized the importance of further research, particularly examining the intersectionality of gender, race, and other diversity factors, to provide a comprehensive understanding of barriers to leadership in P&O and other healthcare fields.
The open-access study, “Glass ceiling among female prosthetists and orthotists: Perceptions, opportunities, and strategies for moving forward,” was published in Canadian Prosthetics and Orthotics Journal.
