Assessing The Need For A Pan-Canadian Mentorship Program For Women In Ophthalmology: A Canadian National Survey Of Trainees And Staff Physicians

Gender disparities in ophthalmology remain multifactorial and persistent. Women in ophthalmology report reduced access to mentorship, which has been associated with lower job satisfaction and hindered career advancement. Thus, enhanced mentorship infrastructure and opportunities are needed to promote an equitable professional environment for women in ophthalmology. This study aimed to evaluate experiences with mentorship among female ophthalmologists and ophthalmology residents in Canada. Second, we assessed interest in a formal Canadian mentorship program for female ophthalmology trainees and staff physicians, as well as preferences for mentor-mentee matching.

National survey of female ophthalmologists and ophthalmology trainees practicing or training in Canada.

An online cross-sectional survey was distributed to female ophthalmologists and trainees across Canada from November 2025 to January 2026. Participants were recruited via the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) mailing lists and snowball distribution. Participant data were anonymized and aggregated into geographical regions. Qualitative responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Group comparisons were performed using chi-square for Fisher’s exact tests for categorical variables and non-parametric tests for Likert-scale responses. Free-text comments underwent thematic analysis.

A total of 68 participants consented to and completed the survey, of whom 26 were trainees and 42 were practitioners. There was representation from all Canadian provinces with residency training programs, with most participants located in western Canada (57%, BC/AB/SK/MB). Regarding interest in a formal mentorship program for Canadian women in ophthalmology, 69% of participants responded yes. However, practitioners were more likely to report difficulty accessing female mentorship compared to trainees (72% vs. 55%, p=0.02). Content analysis of responses pertaining to the kinds of mentorship perceived as meaningful revealed three key themes: the importance of female representation, challenges with work-life balance, and career planning.

Sixty-eight participants from nine Canadian provinces responded to the survey. There was strong interest from both trainees and practitioners in a pan-Canadian mentorship program for women in ophthalmology. Importantly, there was a high prevalence of difficulty accessing meaningful female mentorship, with a significantly higher rate reported amongst practitioners. Key themes identified included female representation, work-life integration, and career planning. These findings support consideration of a structured national mentorship initiative.