Experiences of Gender Inequity Among Women Physicians Across Career Stages: Findings from Participant Focus Groups

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Gender inequity in academic medicine persists despite efforts to the contrary. Even with increasing representation of women physicians in academic medicine, leadership positions and promotion to tenure are still not representative. This study describes the experiences of women physicians at various stages of their careers, uncovering current challenges and potential areas for improvement toward gender equity. Methods: Three focus groups were conducted ( n = 28) as part of a national professional development conference: Growth, Resilience, Inspiration, and Tenacity (GRIT) for Women in Medicine: GRIT. We thematically analyzed participant responses to assess perspectives on the impact of experiences, barriers to professional growth, opportunities for improvement, and definitions of success. Results: The major issues the participants faced included subthemes of (1) systemic barriers to success, (2) implicit biases, (3) self-advocacy, and (4) burnout and stress. Solutions for issues that were discussed included (1) fostering supportive communities, (2) encouraging personal and professional development, and (3) the need for system-wide policy changes. We found that most women needed or benefited from the fostering of communities and desired opportunities for developing professional skills. Participants felt institutional transparency for grievances determined the level of support and confidence in reporting instances of mistreatment. Participants tended to define success according to (1) personal success and (2) leaving a legacy. Conclusions/Implications: Despite policy advancements and a social evolution away from discrimination against women, women in medicine continue to experience inequities across career stages. Potential solutions include fostering supportive communities, encouraging personal and professional development, and system-wide policy changes.

From pressure in the pipeline to accelerating ascension: a survey to understand professional experiences of and opportunities for Canadian women in the healthcare sector

“…Encouragingly, attention has shifted to the need to identify organizational strategies and structural practices that will address gender inequities that lead to the ‘leaking pipeline’ [ 15 – 17 ]—ideally a multilevel organizational approach that targets organizational processes, awareness and engagement, mentoring and networking, and leadership development and support tools [ 18 ]. In parallel, women have highlighted the need to acknowledge common challenges and validate their experiences [ 19 ]. Most of the healthcare literature attending to gender equity in managerial roles to date has emerged from the United States.…”