Women’s Representation in Leadership Positions in Academic Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, and Surgical Oncology Programs

Abstract

IMPORTANCE Women are underrepresented in medical leadership positions; however, representation of women among academic oncology leadership is unknown. OBJECTIVES To evaluate representation of women overall and in leadership positions in academic medical oncology (MO), radiation oncology (RO), and surgical oncology (SO) programs and to examine the association of women leadership with overall faculty representation of women per program. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In this cross-sectional study, MO, RO, and SO training program websites were queried from October 2018 through June 2019. All faculty from 265 of 273 accredited MO, RO, and SO training programs (97.1%) were included. EXPOSURE Gender. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Observed proportions of women in leadership positions compared with the expected proportion of overall women faculty in MO, RO, and SO were assessed. Rates of representation of women across each MO, RO, and SO program's faculty based on the presence or absence of a woman in a leadership position were compared.

Gender influence on work satisfaction and leadership for medical oncologists: a survey of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM)

“… 5 Female participation at an educative level in oncology training programs and grand rounds seminars is also weaker, and is particularly pronounced at the leadership level. 6 , 7 With the proportion of female oncologists continuing to increase, it is essential that gender disparities be addressed.…”

Ongoing Gender Inequity in Leadership Positions of Academic Oncology Programs

“…Despite near-parity in medical schools for decades, this has simply not materialized, raising concerns that the pipeline is not simply long but also leaky, with women dropping out of the pathway that leads to leadership in the field owing to gender-specific challenges. Prior studies have shown that women are paid less, 6 spend more time on parenting and domestic responsibilities, experience higher rates of burnout, 7 and face other challenges in reaching the leadership positions analyzed in the study by Chowdhary et al 1 Contributing factors include unconscious bias, the motherhood penalty, and lack of mentorship, among others. Recent studies have documented how these challenges play out within the field of oncology specifically.…”

“…What should surprise us is the marked underrepresentation of women in more senior positions in medicine, even now, despite women's long-standing near-parity among medical school enrollees. The study by Chowdhary et al 1 adds to the increasing body of knowledge documenting this concerning fact with a comprehensive overview of gender distribution in the leadership of academic oncology programs in the United States, providing important benchmarking data for the field.…”

“…10 Additionally, the role of mentorship and sponsorship in promoting equity is key. Interestingly, Chowdhary et al 1 found that those departments with women in leadership had a higher rate of women faculty representation (7%-10% higher). In the era when women medical students outnumber men medical students, the need for visible women role models is likely to be especially important as well.…”

“…Chowdhary et al 1 have provided data necessary to outline the work that remains to be done in academic oncology. Oncologists must encourage our profession to begin the process of cultural transformation necessary to improve equity and bring more women into leadership positions.…”