1807 - Mentorship and Sponsorship in Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine

Women physicians in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation and in the subspecialty of pediatric rehabilitation medicine (PRM) face numerous gender inequities including in compensation, leadership positions, publications, and awards. Mentorship and sponsorship can positively impact academic careers. The purpose of this study was to investigate gender-based differences in leadership positions, mentorship, and sponsorship in PRM.

Design:

This survey study included practicing PRM physicians who were identified via a virtual member community and recruited via email. Survey questions gathered data on gender, academic rank, number and types of leadership positions held, whether participants had mentors or sponsors, their satisfaction with mentorship and sponsorship, the importance they placed on mentorship and sponsorship, and their satisfaction with their work and career development.

Results:

There were 87 respondents out of a potential 269 (32% response rate). Participants were 75% women and 25% men. 74% were employed in academic medicine with 7% instructors, 32% assistant professors, 33% associate professors, and 28% professors. There were no significant differences in academic rank between women and men (p=0.439). 68% of participants reported having a mentor and 38% a sponsor. More women reported having mentors (73% vs 55%, p=0.038). There were no associations between gender and number (p=0.774) or type (p=0.368) of leadership positions held or between gender and the importance of or satisfaction with mentorship or sponsorship (p=0.139, p=0.763, p=0.343, p=0.861).

Conclusions:

Women having more mentors is uncommon in academic fields. PRM is a field with a majority of women which could create increased opportunities for mentorship and sponsorship. A relatively higher percentage of full and associate professors and lower response rate may have affected results.