Addressing gender disparities in oncology and hematology education: Insights from social media engagement analysis.

Abstract

9039 Background: Gender disparities in professional visibility pose significant challenges to equity in oncology and hematology education. Women represent only 34% of speakers at major oncology conferences and author just 37% of high-impact oncology publications. MedNews Week (MNW), a global platform dedicated to combating medical misinformation and fostering inclusivity, aims to address these gaps by amplifying diverse voices and promoting equitable professional representation. This study analyzed speaker engagement data to identify visibility disparities and propose actionable strategies to enhance representation in oncology and hematology education. Methods: MNW hosted 20 speakers during Years 2 and 3 of its programming. Social media engagement metrics were collected and analyzed for male and female speakers across five platforms: Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Metrics included average engagements per post (likes, shares, comments) and overall engagement trends. Gender-specific differences in engagement were evaluated using statistical analyses, including independent t-tests, to determine significance. Data were normalized to account for variations in platform algorithms and audience size. Results: Male speakers achieved nearly three times the total engagement of female speakers, averaging 123,745 engagements per event compared to 41,133 for females, a difference representing approximately 75% of total engagement by males. A t-test demonstrated a highly significant disparity in engagement levels (t = -14.01, p = 3.48 × 10⁻¹⁶). Twitter emerged as the dominant platform for both genders, with male speakers averaging 46,870 engagements, compared to 37,717 for females. However, female speakers excelled on TikTok (94 average engagements, with no male presence) and achieved near parity on LinkedIn (2,849 vs. 2,901). YouTube engagement favored females, with an average of 85 versus 61 for males. Conclusions: Male speakers demonstrated significantly higher overall engagement; however, female speakers achieved parity, or even outperformed, on emerging platforms like TikTok and YouTube. These findings underscore persistent challenges to achieving gender equity while also highlighting the potential of innovative platforms to amplify underrepresented voices. This analysis reinforces the need for targeted strategies, such as leveraging emerging platforms and expanding professional visibility initiatives, to enhance inclusivity and equity in oncology and hematology education. Engagement metrics across social media platforms for speakers. Platform Female Engagement (Average) Male Engagement (Average) Difference Twitter 37,717 46,870 24.3% higher (male) LinkedIn 2,849 2,901 1.9% higher (male) Instagram 203 279 37.0% higher (male) TikTok 94 0 Female only YouTube 85 61 39.4% higher (female)