Women’s Representation in Leadership Positions in Academic Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, and Surgical Oncology Programs

• DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.0708
• Publication Date: 2020-03-11T11:02:14Z
• Authors: Mudit Chowdhary; Akansha Chowdhary; Trevor J. Royce; Kirtesh R. Patel; Arpit M. Chhabra; Shikha Jain; Miriam A. Knoll; Neha Vapiwala; Barbara Pro; Gaurav Marwaha
• Keywords: Representation; Radiation oncology; Surgical oncology

<h3>Importance</h3> Women are underrepresented in medical leadership positions; however, representation of women among academic oncology is unknown. <h3>Objectives</h3> To evaluate overall and positions (MO), radiation (RO), surgical (SO) programs to examine the association with faculty per program. <h3>Design, Setting, Participants</h3> In this cross-sectional study, MO, RO, SO training program websites were queried from October 2018 through June 2019. All 265 273 accredited (97.1%) included. <h3>Exposure</h3> Gender. <h3>Main Outcomes Measures</h3> Observed proportions compared expected proportion assessed. Rates across each program's based on presence or absence a woman position compared. <h3>Results</h3> Of 6030 total faculty, only 2164 (35.9%) women. Total was 37.1% (1563 4215), 30.7% (389 1269), 38.8% (212 546), respectively. composed 21.7% (30 138), 11.7% (11 94), 3.8% (1 26) chair positions, The observed significantly lower than for SO. all, 47.9%, 33%, 18.5% programs, respectively, had at least 1 (program director chair). Programs more associated higher mean (SD) percentage those without leader MO (40.7% [12.5%] vs 33.1% [11.0%];<i>P</i> &lt; .001) RO (36.2% [13.3%] 23.4% [12.3%];<i>P</i> but not (40.2% [15.4%] 31.4% [16.9%];<i>P</i> = .29). <h3>Conclusions Relevance</h3> Gender disparity exists which magnified level. physician true These data will serve as benchmark monitor progress toward balanced workforce.