TABLE 3.

Summary of the interviews with women rheumatologists from the ArLAR countries regarding the challenges faced as a woman and how to overcome them.

Question	Summary of responses
Did you face any obstacles because you are a woman? If yes, name the top 3.	Four out of 15 women said that there were no obstacles during their careers. Balancing work with family demands (6) Reluctance from male colleagues to have a woman leading the group (3) Getting the confidence of male patients and examining them (2) Under-appreciation, and delay in career advancement from administration (2) Criticism over being a woman active on social media
How did you manage your work-life balance?	Time management and early planning (11) Delegating to teams at work and to the family at home (5) Support from husband (5) from family (5) Need to do compromise and set priorities (5) Have a dedicated time for family as a priority (4) Have personal time (4), for example, sports activities, reading, exercising, traveling, and hobbies Compartmentalization of personal and professional life
Do you have any tips for the new rheumatologists about that?	Be confident (2), set goals (2) Be strong, persistent, motivated Accept failure, update knowledge
How do you see the future of women rheumatologists in our region?	Very qualified current workforce (5) and promising future for WR (9) Collaboration among countries to make a higher impact No concern about women but concern about rheumatology as a threatened discipline (2) Although a majority, 30% of WR do not work because of family or because they cannot afford to have a private clinic Universities do not believe in women taking leadership positions