Experiences of Gender Inequity Among Women Physicians Across Career Stages: Findings from Participant Focus Groups.

Background and Purpose: Gender inequity in academic medicine persists despite efforts to the contrary. Even with increasing representation of women physicians in academic medicine, leadership positions and promotion to tenure are still not representative. This study describes the experiences of women physicians at various stages of their careers, uncovering current challenges and potential areas for improvement toward gender equity. Methods: Three focus groups were conducted (n = 28) as part of a national professional development conference: Growth, Resilience, Inspiration, and Tenacity (GRIT) for Women in Medicine: GRIT. We thematically analyzed participant responses to assess perspectives on the impact of experiences, barriers to professional growth, opportunities for improvement, and definitions of success. Results: The major issues the participants faced included subthemes of (1) systemic barriers to success, (2) implicit biases, (3) self-advocacy, and (4) burnout and stress. Solutions for issues that were discussed included (1) fostering supportive communities, (2) encouraging personal and professional development, and (3) the need for system-wide policy changes. We found that most women needed or benefited from the fostering of communities and desired opportunities for developing professional skills. Participants felt institutional transparency for grievances determined the level of support and confidence in reporting instances of mistreatment. Participants tended to define success according to (1) personal success and (2) leaving a legacy. Conclusions/Implications: Despite policy advancements and a social evolution away from discrimination against women, women in medicine continue to experience inequities across career stages. Potential solutions include fostering supportive communities, encouraging personal and professional development, and system-wide policy changes.

GRIT: Women in Medicine Leadership Conference Participants' Perceptions of Gender Discrimination, Disparity, and Mitigation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess demographic characteristics and perceptions of female physicians in attendance at a medical conference for women with content focused on growth, resilience, inspiration, and tenacity to better understand major barriers women in medicine face and to find solutions to these barriers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A Likert survey was administered to female physicians attending the conference (September 20 to 22, 2018). The survey consisted of demographic data and 4 dimensions that are conducive to women's success in academic medicine: equal access, work-life balance, freedom from gender biases, and supportive leadership. RESULTS: All of the 228 female physicians surveyed during the conference completed the surveys. There were 70 participants (31.5%) who were in practice for less than 10 years (early career), 111 (50%) who were in practice for 11 to 20 years (midcareer), and 41 (18.5%) who had more than 20 years of practice (late career). Whereas participants reported positive support from their supervisors (mean, 0.4 [SD 0.9]; P<.001), they did not report support in the dimensions of work-life balance (mean, -0.2 [SD 0.8]; P<.001) and freedom from gender bias (mean, -0.3 [SD 0.9]; P<.001). CONCLUSION: Female physicians were less likely to feel support for work-life balance and did not report freedom from gender bias in comparison to other dimensions of support. Whereas there was no statistically significant difference between career stage, trends noting that late-career physicians felt less support in all dimensions were observed. Future research should explore a more diverse sample population of women physicians.

A case-based approach to integrative medicine for cardiovascular disease prevention.

Cardiovascular disease is commonly encountered in the adult population and has large impacts on morbidity and mortality. The ever-expanding evidence base for the use of integrative medicine in cardiology necessitates providers caring for patients with cardiovascular disease to be familiar with these therapies. However, providers may find it difficult to adequately discuss these therapies in an average office visit. Through a case-based, question-and-answer approach, the authors review some clinically relevant and helpful research that addresses the incorporation of integrative medicine in cardiovascular disease prevention.

Stress Management and Resiliency Training for public school teachers and staff: A novel intervention to enhance resilience and positively impact student interactions.

BACKGROUND: Burnout in teachers has been linked to decreased effectiveness as educators, and suboptimal interactions with students. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the outcomes of a brief Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) program for public school staff. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-arm, prospective trial involved an investigation of the effects of a brief SMART program on participant stress, anxiety, resilience, gratitude, happiness, life satisfaction, and quality of life (QOL). RESULTS: Significant improvements were noted in participant anxiety (P < 0.001), stress (P = 0.003), gratitude (P = 0.001), happiness (P < 0.001), life satisfaction (P < 0.001), and QOL (P < 0.001). Most participants reported that the skills learned positively affected interactions with students (77.2%) and coworkers (72.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The SMART program showed promising effectiveness for improving anxiety, stress, gratitude, happiness, life satisfaction and QOL. Given the prevalence and impact of teacher burnout, larger, controlled trials and broader dissemination of the intervention are warranted.

Curricular Development and Implementation of a Longitudinal Integrative Medicine Education Experience for Trainees and Health-Care Professionals at an Academic Medical Center.

A growing number of patients and consumers are seeking integrative medicine (IM) approaches as a result of increasing complex medical needs and a greater emphasis on prevention and health promotion. Health-care professionals need to have knowledge of the evidence-based IM resources that are safe and available to patients. Medical institutions have acknowledged the need for education and training in various IM modalities and whole-health approaches in medical curricula. There is a strong need to develop and incorporate well-structured IM curricula across all levels of learning and practice within medicine. This article provides an example of the development, implementation, impact, and assessment of IM education curricula across all learner levels at a large academic medical center.