Women physicians' experiences in the workplace in Lebanon: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Medical professional development
• Gender studies in healthcare
• Physician career progression

Background:

• Increasing number of female physicians entering the workforce.
• Prevalence of challenges such as gender discrimination, work-life balance issues, sexual harassment, limited career advancement, and burnout.
• Need to understand these challenges to foster professional success.

Purpose of the Study:

• Assess perceived challenges encountered by women physicians in the workplace.
• Identify effective coping strategies for professional success.
• Inform policy development for a more equitable medical environment.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research design with an inductive approach.
• Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews with 12 female physicians in Lebanese hospitals (July-December 2023).
• Thematic analysis of transcribed and translated interview data.

Main Results:

• Three main themes emerged: personal challenges, institutional challenges, and solutions.
• Personal challenges included work-life balance and burnout.
• Institutional obstacles encompassed gender discrimination, limited career advancement, and sexual harassment.

Conclusions:

• Women physicians experience significant personal and institutional barriers.
• Addressing these challenges is essential for career advancement and well-being.
• Findings provide a foundation for policies to create a more equitable and supportive environment for women in medicine.