| |
|
|
|
CREATE CLARITY.BUILD CONFIDENCE. TAKE CONTROL.
|
| |
|
October 17, 2012
|
|
|
With the national elections looming over us, it is nearly impossible to ignore the need for clear thinking, confident and “in control” leaders. And whether in congress or in a physician’s office, medical school department or hospital administrative suite, women leaders are notably absent. And while recent research (see WMDR’s suggested reading this month, listed below) tells us that women aspire to be leaders, the barriers to achieving this nebulous goal are enormous.
So whose fault is it anyway? I say both the women and the institutions are at fault. And the main reason is because of devaluation. Women are devalued by the treatment we receive and the treatment we accept.
Let’s first blame the women who plead, “I have no time.” “I am given dead-end assignments.” “I don’t like to tell people what to do.” “People don’t do what I ask of them and all the work falls on my shoulders.” “I won’t get any credit for this.”
Now let’s blame the institutions who both subliminally and openly communicate, “Women don’t make good leaders.” “Women don’t want to be leaders because it interferes with ‘life.’” “Women don’t have the training or experience to lead effectively.” “Women don’t communicate well.”
Both sets of observations are entirely true, and really for the same reason. Women are devalued.
|
|
| |
| |
|
Pre-Med
What does it take, and do you have it? Learn what it takes to make getting in the easy part.
|
|
Medical Student
What does success look like for you? And how do you get there?
|
|
Trainee
Internship, residency…Limbo. But you can shape the road ahead.
|
|
Practicing Physician
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned professional, learn how to have the career you want.
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
Four Structural Changes Will Help Remodel the House of Medicine
A new look at work habits, productivity, attitudes and the work environment.
|
|
|
|
Resetting the Default — Remodeling the Workplace
The truth about gender effects on attitudes, work habits and experience.
|
|
|
|
Having a Baby During Residency: Lost Year or Found Opportunity?
Gap years given new perspectives.
|
|
|
|
Residency and Pregnancy: Are They Compatible?
Two viewpoints. Is there a right answer?
|
|
|
|
|
|
In keeping with this month’s featured blog, one interesting article on leadership and women in medicine made it all the way to the New York Times. The headline? “Women Still Missing From Medicine’s Top Ranks” Newsflash! Women are not making it to the top ranks in academic medicine. It’s not complicated: Stop the blatant discrimination, unfair allocation of resources, and underpayment for their talent, just to name a few.
|
|
Experiencing the Culture of Academic Medicine: Gender Matters, A National Study
(2012) Linda H. Pololi, Janet T. Civian, Robert T. Brennan, Andrea L. Dottolo and Edward Krupat. Journal of General Internal Medicine.
|
|
|
|
Women on Professional Society and Journal Editorial Boards
(2007) Morton MJ, Sonnad SS. Journal of the National Medical Association 99:7.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tip of the Month
Everyone of us must become a leader. It’s not hard.
- Pick the venue you want to lead in.
- Start small e.g. lead your clinical team — physician, nurse practitioner, medical assistant and receptionist — to create a class “A” medical experience for your patients.
- Make note of your success.
- Plan the next leadership opportunity.
- Go for it!
As you gain experience, you will build confidence to target issues, engage others, and create influence to make our healthcare workplace better for us and our patients.
|
|
|
Our Monthly Poll
This month:
As a woman physician, which issue is most likely to influence your vote in November? Make your voice heard — take our monthly poll.
|
|
|
|
|
