A coalition of top researchers, including Dr. Feldman and Reshma Jagsi, MD., DPhil, interviewed mid- to senior-level female clinician scientists and found the following:
- Women felt that their academic medicine institutions were largely male-centric and didn’t meet their needs as a female clinician-scientist.
- This perception was associated with feelings of exclusion, disillusionment, and loss of trust in their institutions.
- Balancing family responsibilities with work and dealing with unsupportive workplaces may make it more difficult for women clinician-scientists to meet career and productivity goals on time.
The results have significant long-term implications for the well-being and retention of women in academic medicine.
“Importantly, we found that having a group of colleagues who share the same challenges and opportunities is a critical component in achieving career goals and career satisfaction,” explains Dr. Feldman. “Being connected to friends creates resilience. Resilience, in turn, promotes an attitude of problem solving and taking action.”