White Men Promoted at Higher Rates Than Women and Minority Groups in Academic Medicine

Research led by the University of Kansas Medical Center, published in JAMA Network Open, reveals persistent disparities in promotion and retention within academic medicine. The study highlights that white male physicians are more likely to advance to senior academic ranks compared to women and individuals from racial or ethnic minority groups.

The study analyzed data from 673,573 medical school graduates between 1979 and 2019. Findings showed that Asian men, Asian women, Black women, and white women were more likely to enter academic medicine at entry-level positions like instructor or assistant professor. However, white men were significantly more likely to be promoted to associate or full professor roles. Black women faced the greatest barriers, being 55% less likely to advance to associate professor and 41% less likely to full professor compared to white men. Hispanic women and other underrepresented minority women also faced substantial promotion gaps.

Another study from KU Medical Center, also published in JAMA Network Open, examined faculty retention. Data from 390,766 faculty members (1978–2021) revealed that women left academic medicine one year earlier than men, while minority faculty departed one to four years earlier than white colleagues.

The studies emphasize that diversifying academic leadership could improve healthcare outcomes by reducing disparities and better preparing students to care for minority populations.

“The lack of promotion and retention for women and minorities reflects systemic issues,” said Dr. Kimber Richter, a co-author. “We must transform the culture to support diverse faculty, benefiting everyone in the process.”

The researchers urge academic institutions to address these disparities, recognizing the immense training physicians undergo and their potential contributions to healthcare equity.

(Newswise/DN)