Reasons and remedies for under-representation of women in medical leadership roles: a qualitative study from Australia
Open Access
- 16 November 2015
- Vol. 5 (11), e009384
- https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009384
Abstract
Objective To elicit medical leaders’ views on reasons and remedies for the under-representation of women in medical leadership roles. Design Qualitative study using semistructured interviews with medical practitioners who work in medical leadership roles. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Setting Public hospitals, private healthcare providers, professional colleges and associations and government organisations in Australia. Participants 30 medical practitioners who hold formal medical leadership roles. Results Despite dramatic increases in the entry of women into medicine in Australia, there remains a gross under-representation of women in formal, high-level medical leadership positions. The male-dominated nature of medical leadership in Australia was widely recognised by interviewees. A small number of interviewees viewed gender disparities in leadership roles as a ‘natural’ result of women's childrearing responsibilities. However, most interviewees believed that preventable gender-related barriers were impeding women's ability to achieve and thrive in medical leadership roles. Interviewees identified a range of potential barriers across three broad domains—perceptions of capability, capacity and credibility. As a counter to these, interviewees pointed to a range of benefits of women adopting these roles, and proposed a range of interventions that would support more women entering formal medical leadership roles. Conclusions While women make up more than half of medical graduates in Australia today, significant barriers restrict their entry into formal medical leadership roles. These constraints have internalised, interpersonal and structural elements that can be addressed through a range of strategies for advancing the role of women in medical leadership. These findings have implications for individual medical practitioners and health services, as well as professional colleges and associations.Keywords
This publication has 21 references indexed in Scilit:
- Lost leaders: women in the global academyHigher Education Research & Development, 2014
- Still a man's world, but why?Critical Care, 2013
- Doctors who become chief executives in the NHS: from keen amateurs to skilled professionalsJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 2011
- Women in the boardroom and their impact on governance and performanceJournal of Financial Economics, 2009
- Performing Leadership: Towards a New Research Agenda in Leadership Studies?Leadership, 2009
- Women in the Legal ProfessionAnnual Review of Law and Social Science, 2008
- Sweden: Combining childbearing and gender equalityDemographic Research, 2008
- “Knife before wife”: an exploratory study of gender and the UK medical professionJournal of Health Organization and Management, 2008
- PUBLIC MANAGEMENT REFORM IN THE UK AND ITS CONSEQUENCES FOR PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSISPublic Administration, 2007
- Women doctors and their careers: what now?BMJ, 2005