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Women in Academic Pathology: Pathways to Department Chair.
Mary F Lipscomb1, David N Bailey2, Lydia P Howell3
1Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
Academic Pathology
|February 14, 2022
Summary
Women in academic pathology face career barriers like heavy clinical work and lack of research support. Addressing these, alongside promoting family support and leadership opportunities, can advance women into department chair roles.
Area of Science:
- Medical Science
- Academic Pathology
- Leadership Studies
Background:
- The Association of Pathology Chairs reports 31% women chairs, below the 43% of women pathology faculty.
- Understanding barriers and facilitators for women's advancement is crucial for leadership diversity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify impediments and facilitators impacting women's career advancement to department chair positions in academic pathology.
- To inform strategies for increasing women's representation in pathology leadership.
Main Methods:
- Survey of women department chairs in American and Canadian academic pathology departments.
- Analysis of reported career impediments and facilitators.
Main Results:
- Heavy clinical loads and insufficient research time/resources were primary impediments.
- Gender bias was experienced by 89% of respondents and cited as an impediment by 31%.
- Supportive family, national meeting attendance, and leadership opportunities were key facilitators.
Conclusions:
- Supporting family life, providing research resources, and encouraging leadership roles are vital for advancing women in academic pathology.
- Addressing gender bias and clinical load are necessary to increase the percentage of women department chairs.
