A Women in Radiology Group Fosters Career Development for Faculty and Trainees

Abstract

A WIR group can provide career development tools for its members. In this study, trainees and junior faculty reported increased networking and research involvement and gaining a mentor but were equally likely as senior faculty to have become mentors. Most members reported increased camaraderie among women in the department. A WIR group may help to accelerate professional development among trainees and junior faculty, thereby contributing to a more diverse and enabled workforce.

Understanding the Sex-Based Professional Development Priorities of Medical Students: Results from a novel self-assessment survey tool

“…Other research on female physicians and female entrepreneurs suggests women's more limited engagement in networking may be due to a lack of aspiration for organization leadership, lack of time, or a focus on seeking advice from within a smaller social circle (Chae, 2018;Mariam Malende, 2017). Regardless of the specific reasons, promoting same-sex mentorship is important as female students and trainees traditionally lack academic and professional mentors (Association of American Medical Colleges, 2017; Butkus et al, 2018;Colón-Emeric, Bowlby, and Svetkey, 2012;Burk-Rafel, Santen, and Purkiss, 2017;DeFilippis et al, 2016;Faucett et al, 2017;Gaetke-Udager et al, 2018;Lautenberger et al, 2019;Meschitti, Smith, 2017). Multiple studies have shown that same-sex mentors can target professional development disparities for women early in their career and can be especially influential when students are determining their future career choice (Faucett et al, 2017;Gaetke-Udager et al, 2018;Lautenberger et al, 2019;Lewis et al, 2018).…”

“…Regardless of the specific reasons, promoting same-sex mentorship is important as female students and trainees traditionally lack academic and professional mentors (Association of American Medical Colleges, 2017; Butkus et al, 2018;Colón-Emeric, Bowlby, and Svetkey, 2012;Burk-Rafel, Santen, and Purkiss, 2017;DeFilippis et al, 2016;Faucett et al, 2017;Gaetke-Udager et al, 2018;Lautenberger et al, 2019;Meschitti, Smith, 2017). Multiple studies have shown that same-sex mentors can target professional development disparities for women early in their career and can be especially influential when students are determining their future career choice (Faucett et al, 2017;Gaetke-Udager et al, 2018;Lautenberger et al, 2019;Lewis et al, 2018). Women in medicine mentorship groups therefore may have a consequential role in addressing feelings of imposter syndrome, highlighting the importance of mentoring in building professional networks, and providing opportunities for women-focused networking (Faucett et al, 2017;Gaetke-Udager et al, 2018).…”

“…Multiple studies have shown that same-sex mentors can target professional development disparities for women early in their career and can be especially influential when students are determining their future career choice (Faucett et al, 2017;Gaetke-Udager et al, 2018;Lautenberger et al, 2019;Lewis et al, 2018). Women in medicine mentorship groups therefore may have a consequential role in addressing feelings of imposter syndrome, highlighting the importance of mentoring in building professional networks, and providing opportunities for women-focused networking (Faucett et al, 2017;Gaetke-Udager et al, 2018). This survey tool provides an opportunity for such mentorship groups to assess the specific priorities of their students and then tailor events and activities accordingly.…”

“…A literature review with the assistance of a medical librarian did not reveal any published questionnaires which assessed the professional development needs of medical students. However, two previously published surveys were identified which focused on professional development and mentorship of faculty and residents (Colón-Emeric, Bowlby and Svetkey, 2012;Gaetke-Udager et al, 2018). The first survey was published by Gaetke-Udager et al in the American Journal of Radiology in 2018.…”

“…The purpose of their survey was to evaluate trainee satisfaction with a Women in Radiology mentorship group and the events hosted by this group. The variety of events hosted by this group was used to inform the creation of our 'Professional Development Events' list (Gaetke-Udager et al, 2018). The second survey, published in 2012 in Medical Teacher by Colon-Emeric et al, asked 66 faculty from different backgrounds to prioritize lists of unmet professional needs and peer-mentoring activities (Colón-Emeric, Bowlby and Svetkey, 2012).…”