Myatra SN
Nasa P
Chanchalani GP
Zimmerman JL
Venkatesh B
Machado FR
Ostermann M
Leeies M
Coopersmith CM
Sorce LR
Weiss B
Kuberkar D
Abbenbroek B
Acharya SP
Akech S
Akinci SB
Al Duhailib Z
Berger-Estilita J
Branson RD
De Waele J
Derde LPG
Divatia MJ
Dzierba AL
Elhoufy AM
Fiest KM
Fillipescu D
Fox-Robichaud AE
Freires FJC
Fujii T
Galarza L
Gopalan DP
Hamzaoui O
Hidalgo JL
Jayasinghe AS
Kanoore Edul VS
Lubis AP
Matot I
Mehta S
Milic V
Monnet X
Morrow BM
Nadkarni VM
Needham DM
Osinaike BB
Patil VP
Perez Cornejo MS
Perez-Fernandez J
Ray S
Robba C
Rodriguez-Vega GM
Rubulotta F
Seifelnasr O
Turnbull AE
Ugarte S
Vincent JL
Wendon J
Xie J
Zabaleta Polo YM
Burns KEA
Intensive Care Med. 2026;
PURPOSE: We used Delphi methodology to provide guidance on gender equality and equity issues in professional life in intensive care, where information is evolving and no clear standard exists. METHODS: A 12-member Steering Committee (7 women, 5 men) from 7 countries and 46 international panelists [(23 women, 21 men, 2 preferred not to disclose; median age 52 (33-75) years] from 32 countries (43% low- and middle-income) including intensive care practitioners, scientists, researchers, and trainees voted on 57 statements addressing issues related to gender equality and equity in 10 domains of professional life. Delphi rounds were conducted using online surveys. Consensus (at least 75% of panelists voting for a response option) and stability (consistent responses on iterative rounds) were assessed. RESULTS: Six Delphi rounds were conducted between May and July 2025. A 100% response rate was achieved in each round. Consensus and stability were achieved on 43 (75%) of 57 statements from which 37 professional practice guidance statements were developed. Across domains, greater consensus was achieved on equality [23/27 (85.2%)] versus equity [12/18 (66.7%)] statements. Discordant equity statements primarily pertained to academia and engagement in multiprofessional meetings and the workplace. CONCLUSION: Using a Delphi method, international experts reached consensus to generate 37 professional practice guidance statements. The consensus statements provide needed guidance for professional engagement and highlight areas for policy development to advance gender equity and equality for healthcare workers in intensive care. The discordant statements highlight areas for future research.
