Disparities in gender and race among physician–scientists: a call to action and strategic recommendations
The size of the physician–scientist workforce has declined for the past 3 decades, which
raises significant concerns for the future of biomedical research. There is also a
considerable gender disparity among physician–scientists. This disparity is exacerbated by
race, resulting in a compounding effect for women of color. Proposed reasons for this
disparity include the time and expense physicians must devote to obtaining specialized
research training after residency while at the same time burdened with mounting medical …
raises significant concerns for the future of biomedical research. There is also a
considerable gender disparity among physician–scientists. This disparity is exacerbated by
race, resulting in a compounding effect for women of color. Proposed reasons for this
disparity include the time and expense physicians must devote to obtaining specialized
research training after residency while at the same time burdened with mounting medical …
Abstract
The size of the physician–scientist workforce has declined for the past 3 decades, which raises significant concerns for the future of biomedical research. There is also a considerable gender disparity among physician–scientists. This disparity is exacerbated by race, resulting in a compounding effect for women of color. Proposed reasons for this disparity include the time and expense physicians must devote to obtaining specialized research training after residency while at the same time burdened with mounting medical school debt and domestic and caretaking responsibilities, which are disproportionately shouldered by women. These circumstances may contribute to the overall gender disparity in research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Women apply for NIH grants less often than men and are therefore less likely to receive an NIH grant. However, when women do apply for NIH grants, their funding success is comparable with that of men.
