Women’s Leadership in Emergency Medical Services: Social and Organizational Influences

Abstract Background: While women are increasingly represented in healthcare, their leadership in emergency medical services (EMS) remains limited. In Saudi Arabia, EMS is expanding, but gender disparities persist. Objectives: This study explores social and organizational factors shaping women’s leadership success in the Saudi paramedic profession and their impact on team dynamics and culturally sensitive emergency care delivery. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 paramedics in Saudi Arabia using a self-administered online survey between April and November 2022. The survey, adapted from Westring et al . (2012), assessed perceived gender bias and leadership support using a validated 14-item, 5-point Likert scale. Participants were required to have at least 2 years of EMS experience. Reliability was confirmed through a pilot study (Cronbach’s α =0.93). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t -tests, and an appropriate correlation method, with significance set at P < 0.05. Results: Inclusive leadership practices showed high agreement (mean = 3.73, standard deviation = 0.94). Gender (point-biserial r = −0.142, P = 0.047, weak) and education level (Spearman r = −0.141, P = 0.048, weak) were negatively associated with perceived leadership support, whereas years of experience (Pearson r = 0.162, P = 0.023, weak) showed a positive association. Independent-samples t-tests indicated that males reported more favorable perceptions of work-life balance ( t = 2.13, P = 0.036) and organizational policy clarity ( t = 2.45, P = 0.018). Conclusions: Inclusive leadership was valued, but gender and education were linked to lower support perceptions, whereas experience showed a positive association. Males reported more favorable views of work-life balance and policy clarity, highlighting the need for gender-responsive strategies in EMS.