Women in academic medicine - challenges and issues
A report by Health Policy and Economic Research Unit
September 2004
Summary
The BMA is keen to address the under-representation of women in the medical academic workforce and is undertaking research in this area in an attempt to better understanding the issues. In order to explore the challenges and issues facing women in academic medicine in some depth, two focus groups were held. This report summarises the key issues raised by participants involved in the focus group discussions.
Many of the issues raised in the focus groups were gender specific and include:
- Many women in the focus groups did not adhere to a mainstream career route for a variety of reasons. The unconventional career progression experienced by many women should be recognised as an advantage and serves to illustrate the level of dedication and motivation displayed by women in the pursuit of an academic career.
- Age was felt to be a key factor in the career progression of women, particularly when competing for senior positions.
- It was generally agreed that women and men have different skills and approaches to an academic career. It was suggested that these differences require greater acceptance and recognition.
- Networking and raising one’s profile are perceived as being skills which are particularly difficult for many women in the context of academic medicine.
- A further difficulty which faces many women is re-entering the workforce after taking a career break, often to have children or for family commitments. Measures of academic success, such as the RAE, do not take such career breaks into account, and hence women are further disadvantaged by ‘obvious gaps’ in their CVs.
- A definite ‘glass ceiling’ to senior posts and higher level positions in academic medicine for women was identified and it was suggested that university departments must be made more accountable, particularly in relation to senior appointments.
- There was overwhelming agreement regarding the importance and value of mentoring and role models for women working in academic medicine.
- There is a need for a more structured career path into academic medicine, with both clinical and academic commitments recognised. As part of the academic component, greater recognition needs to be given to teaching.
- Many participants argue that part-time working is not taken seriously, but it is virtually impossible given the demands of an academic medical career. The pressures and expectations of an academic research career, often combined with clinical commitments, means that part-time working is extremely difficult.
- Current job expectations of a medical academic position are unrealistic and unreasonable. The importance of reasonable expectations is highlighted, particularly in relation to RAE, which does little to take into account part-time working.
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