Five Strategies Leaders in Academic Medicine Can Implement Now to Enhance Gender Equity

Abstract

Abundant disparities for women in medicine contribute to many women physicians considering leaving medicine. There is a strong financial and ethical case for leaders in academic medicine to focus on strategies to improve retention. This article focuses on five immediate actions that leaders can take to enhance gender equity and improve career satisfaction for all members of the workplace.

System-Wide Change Is Essential to Value the Contributions of Women in Medicine and Science

“…The impact and effectiveness of these strategies have been shown to be successful in different case studies and anecdotally, and can be useful strategies to engage trainees and junior faculty in learning strategies early on that can be used throughout their careers. Senior faculty should invite midcareer faculty to publish with them and then mentor and sponsor them to ensure their success [12]. 4. It is essential to dismantle the traditional hierarchical structure in health care that hinders progress toward equity in health care [13].…”