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Journal of General Internal Medicine
Published in: Journal of General Internal Medicine 8/2021

01-08-2021 | Burnout Syndrome | Review

The Role of Gender in Careers in Medicine: a Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Qualitative Literature

Authors: Abigail Ford Winkel, MD, MHPE, Beatrice Telzak, MD, Jacquelyn Shaw, MD, Calder Hollond, BA, Juliana Magro, MLIS, Joseph Nicholson, MLIS, Gwendolyn Quinn, PhD

Published in: Journal of General Internal Medicine | Issue 8/2021

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Abstract

Background

Gender disparities exist in the careers of women in medicine. This review explores the qualitative literature to understand how gender influences professional trajectories, and identify opportunities for intervention.

Methods

A systematic review and thematic synthesis included articles obtained from PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), APA PsycInfo (Ovid), and GenderWatch (ProQuest) on June 26 2020, updated on September 10, 2020. Included studies explored specialty choice, leadership roles, practice setting, burnout, promotion, stigma, mentoring, and organizational culture. Studies taking place outside of the USA, using only quantitative data, conducted prior to 2000, or focused on other health professions were excluded. Data were extracted using a standardized extraction tool and assessed for rigor and quality using a 9-item appraisal tool. A three-step process for thematic synthesis was used to generate analytic themes and construct a conceptual model. The study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020199999).

Findings

Among 1524 studies identified, 64 were eligible for analysis. Five themes contributed to a conceptual model for the influence of gender on women’s careers in medicine that resembles a developmental socio-ecological model. Gender influences career development externally through culture which valorizes masculine stereotypes and internally shapes women’s integration of personal and professional values.

Conclusion

Medical culture and structures are implicitly biased against women. Equitable environments in education, mentoring, hiring, promotion, compensation, and support for work-life integration are needed to address gender disparities in medicine. Explicit efforts to create inclusive institutional cultures and policies are essential to support a diverse workforce.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
The Role of Gender in Careers in Medicine: a Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Qualitative Literature
Authors
Abigail Ford Winkel, MD, MHPE
Beatrice Telzak, MD
Jacquelyn Shaw, MD
Calder Hollond, BA
Juliana Magro, MLIS
Joseph Nicholson, MLIS
Gwendolyn Quinn, PhD
Publication date
01-08-2021
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Journal of General Internal Medicine / Issue 8/2021
Print ISSN: 0884-8734
Electronic ISSN: 1525-1497
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-021-06836-z

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