What You Can Do
Physicians can also make efforts to end gender disparities on an individual level, beginning with being open to learning more about others’ experiences. “We often don’t know what we don’t know,” Dr. Villwock said. “We have to be willing to have difficult and sometimes awkward conversations to better understand the perspectives of everyone involved.”
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January 2020Dr. Villwock also encourages otolaryngologists to assess their own biases and knowledge gaps. “Everyone needs to learn about unconscious biases—which we all have—and how they can manifest. Shed some light on yours by being aware of your own behavior patterns.”
Speaking up in unison is also key. “Have a united voice on what opportunities and changes should occur at your institution,” Dr. Wei said. “Physicians themselves must champion and not expect change to occur from the top down and from non-physician leaders, but instead lead change.”
The bottom line, Dr. Wei said, is that institutions must forgo the “we must not do anything special for women” attitude and stop fearing that they’ll be accused of giving special treatment to women. Instead, they should acknowledge the extraordinary efforts, perhaps even Herculean at times, that women must achieve and demonstrate just to be noticed to get on the same playing field as male physicians and surgeons, much less in leadership positions in organizational hierarchy at any level.
“It’s past the time of talk and well time for action,” Dr. Kerschner said. “If no specific steps exist, then demand that leadership give these issues more attention.”
Karen Appold is a freelance medical writer based in Pennsylvania.
One School’s Success Stories
Ending gender disparities continues to be a strong initiative at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) in Milwaukee. Joseph E. Kerschner, MD, dean of the school of medicine and professor of otolaryngology, microbiology, and immunology, supported the creation of the Center for the Advancement of Women in Science and Medicine (AWSM) (pronounced awesome). The center is intended to be a destination for women leaders, cultivating an inclusive and vibrant culture that supports the growth and success of all genders in the health sciences. Its mission is to advance the careers of women at MCW through data-informed strategic projects that enhance opportunity and improve workplace climate.
“A faculty leader who is serving as the center’s director is creating programs and assessing the culture and processes across our institution, specifically looking at wellness issues. Men are also very involved with the effort,” he said.