Thread by @VTA_Symposium

After a short break, Prof Francesca Rubulotta @frubulotta will be speaking about "Gender disparities in critical illness' - an unbelievably disappointing reality in our profession.
#VTA23

So today she wants to flip the conversation, not to talk about gender disparities in critical care practitioners, but rather in how gender disparities in how patients are treated. #VTA23

In the past, most medications have been tested solely on male 'ideal' patients, and female patients of any weight were actively excluded. Although this has changed in the last 10 years, we still live with the consequences of the earlier studies... #VTA23

This has an effect on both women AND men, as men are less likely to get effective treatment if they are unlucky enough to get a 'female-specific' disease such as osteoporosis. #VTA23
doi.org/10.1097/CCM.0b…

Lots of differences in how men and women are treated in critical care. Women are less likely to get antibiotics in a timely manner, but their survival is similar. Lots of differences here...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ccm.…
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And what about diversity in the workforce? If equipment is designed for men, the ergonomics of those devices may not suite women. This is similarly a problem if the patient monitors are designed for and tested on men. #VTA23

Women are less likely to be in leading positions in Intensive Care Societies worldwide. doi.org/10.1186/s13054…
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What can we do?
Some societies have begun working on this with systematic approaches.
doi.org/10.1007/s00134…
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But Francesca also says you can do something - sponsor someone. If you are invited to go to a meeting and you cannot go, don't just decline. Instead, propose someone you know to go in your stead, to improve inclusivity and diversity!
#VTA23