119 Factors Contributing to the Advancement of Women in Academic Emergency Medicine: A Multi-Institution Survey Study of Resident Physicians

Abstract

Despite increasing numbers of women entering medicine, few academic leadership positions are held by women physicians in emergency medicine. This study aimed to identify factors that affect training and career planning of women resident physicians as future leaders in academic emergency medicine. We distributed an electronic survey to women emergency medicine residents at eight institutions across the United States. We collected anonymous survey responses between November 2019 and January 2020. The survey consisted of demographic questions as well as questions in which participants rated categorical characteristics: determination, resiliency, support, career aspiration, obstacles, and sex discrimination. We utilized a Likert 5-point scale (1= strongly disagree; 5= strongly agree) and categorized responses in binary format for analysis (1-3= disagree, 4-5= agree). We calculated averages for each category and considered these to be significant if the average was ≥4 in the affirmative or ≤2 in the negative. For yes/no questions we report responses in a binary format. The overall response rate was 57.1% (36/63). All participants disagreed with the statements, “I do not seek career advancement opportunities” and “My career has been significant stunted due to childbirth or child rearing.” Most participants reported goals of future career advancement (75%, 27/36) and an ability to achieve goals despite difficulty (88.9%, 32/36). Most participants felt positive about their careers (86.1%, 31/36 and 80.6%, 29/36) and family/personal relationships 75% (27/36). Most residents reported adequate support from both supervisors/colleagues and family (72.2%, 26/36 and 75%, 27/36), the availability of career mentoring programs at their institutions (58.3%, 21/36), and high levels of personal resiliency (average: 4.0). Sex discrimination by colleagues or supervisors was reported by 55.6% (20/36) of participants, while 5.6% (2/36) reported sexual assault and/or battery by colleagues or supervisors during their training. Women in emergency medicine residency programs who participated in our study have career aspirations that include academic leadership positions, are resilient, and feel well supported by colleagues, supervisors, and family. Sex discrimination is still common during residency training. None of the resident participants view childbearing and childrearing as significant obstacles to career advancement. Further research is needed to promote women residents as future leaders in academic emergency medicine, specifically to develop strategies for career mentoring, research support, and improving sex discrimination.