Women physicians and their mentors

Abstract

This study surveyed 189 women physicians in order to compare the experiences of those who had male mentors with those who had female mentors. Respondents with high-ranking male mentors reported more career sponsorship. However, those with lower ranking female mentors reported more personal advice. In addition, those with female mentors reported fewer problems retaining their autonomy in the relationship. The mentor's administrative or academic rank, rather than gender, was the chief determinant of sponsoring effectiveness. These results suggest that women physicians face a dilemma in their choice of mentors, and underscore the importance of promoting women physicians to positions of authority in medical schools and training hospitals.