Addressing Diversity and Inclusion in Gastroenterology: A Broader Perspective on Endoscopic Practice

Article information

Korean J Helicobacter Up Gastrointest Res. 2024;24(4):308-308
Publication date (electronic) : 2024 December 4
doi : https://doi.org/10.7704/kjhugr.2024.0061
Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
Corresponding author Seon-Young Park, MD, PhD Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Hospital, 42 Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61469, Korea E-mail: drpsy@naver.com
Received 2024 September 19; Accepted 2024 September 19.

This review [1] summarizes recent studies that discuss the barriers and contributions of female gastroenterology endoscopists and suggests a forward-looking vision for training and professional placement of female endoscopic physicians.

I recommend expanding the discussion to include a broader view of the differences between female and male endoscopists as part of the overall diversity in this field. Specifically, it would be beneficial to address the physical disadvantages in maneuvering endoscopic tools and accessories and variations in individual personalities, which can affect awareness of procedural complications and willingness to adopt new techniques. Rather than focusing exclusively on gender, acknowledging these factors as part of a wider spectrum of diversity may offer a more comprehensive and nuanced perspective. Therefore, it is essential to develop tailored training programs to address these differences. Such programs should not only focus on female endoscopists but should additionally consider the physical and psychological characteristics of all endoscopists. Exclusive focus on female endoscopists may be perceived as an unfair advantage. Therefore, acknowledgment and accommodation of these diverse needs may be useful to optimize training and enhance performance and address individual challenges more effectively.

Notes

Availability of Data and Material

Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analyzed during the study.

Conflicts of Interest

The author has no financial conflicts of interest.

Funding Statement

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Acknowledgements

None

References

1. Kim YJ. Female endoscopists in gastroenterology. Korean J Helicobacter Up Gastrointest Res 2024;24:385–387.

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