The career of my dreams happened. At 25 I was a doctor, the first in my clan, and with all the perks that come with it. You see achievement in our society is exactly that, graduated from medical school, years later, married the love of your life. You become a self-made role model. Then I am faced with the question of whether to in my career. Sadly, for many like me, which residency to choose, what exactly to focus on doesn’t come easy. You either have No role models around you, or you don’t want to become the ones that you see.
I didn’t want to choose a specialty that required numerous hours in wards. The insane internship hours were never to be repeated. You see those are revered as a rite of passage in medicine and I had earned that rite. Another criterion, I fancied surgery but didn’t want to spend hours standing on my feet. I wanted flexibility to travel the world. I also hoped that whatever I chose would come in with some fair compensation. Sorry I used the word that we use a lot as women, fair. No, I wanted a specialty that would pay me tons of money. Having failed to match what was my first choice, I dabbled in medical microbiology, did research for a few years but moved on to stick to my values and strengths and I decided instead to focus on the business of healthcare. It was with eternal hope that the business decisions I make every day would afford many in my continent with access to health. I still live with that value today.
I digress. The way women chose their careers in medicine; the system they face as they advance all contribute to the paucity of women in leadership positions in medicine today.
Having spoken to and coached many doctors, women in particular face a tougher decision of how to choose a career post medical school.
Women in many societies carry the joys and the burdens of caring for many in their lives, children, husbands and parents while juggling a career in the twenty first century. Women’s representation in medical schools has increased similar to many other countries in the world. However, their representation is not commensurate with what we see in leadership positions in various specialties in hospitals, academia How do we then make for the shortage of specialists we have in the country, and how, pharma and in listed companies. Is the proverbial glass ceiling a major factor? Here are a few reasons why women are not seen in the echelons of power.
Many women choose administrative or nonclinical medical careers that allow them flexibility to be with their families.
Some women pass, or do not present themselves for leadership positions as they feel they will be imposters. The concept of glass cliff applies where the women feel they would do a disservice to other women if they fail.
Lucrative opportunities may not be presented to some women as the general bias of “not the right face to investors or patients” or in academic circles an unwritten belief that someone already has “too much on their plate”. These inherent biases which need to be untaught) are also advanced by other women in positions of power. Yet, research has shown that:
- Women in medicine bring in varied dynamics that are needed for progress and balance in medicine
- Women provide better clinical care and better at cost savings than men
- Women doctors are more collaborative in both clinical practice and in research.
So what can be done to improve women’s representation in leadership positions in medicine, both in clinical and non-clinical roles?
- At an early stage in your career, identify your niche and pursue it relentlessly. After all, the health challenges we have in Africa have defined the problem you can focus on for you. Chose an area and stay the course. It is easy to get side tracked by projects that really don’t add value to the prize.
- More than ever, having formal mentorship and coaching programs to help you navigate the complexities of leadership is important. It will help you focus on areas that speak to your values and strengths. It helps you to build resilience and create a legacy in your chosen field.
- Institutions should break the maternal wall/ ceiling by being flexible in allowing women to complete their specialization after parental or maternity leave. This includes women who have chosen to adopt children.
- Compensation fairness is key, even across various industries transcending race and gender. Routine deidentified data about compensation in medicine needs to be made available to doctors.
- Report sexual harassment in the workplace. To be urgently instituted especially in male dominated specialties is zero tolerance to all forms of sexual harassment medicine, from medical schools to those seeking rooms to practice in a nearby hospital. This is a nemesis for progress in any sector in society. Further, discrimination on grounds of reproductive status and sexual orientation is illegal and unconstitutional. Those who have the power to hire, fire and promote should be at the forefront of this fight.
- I know you are busy, so am I. Take time off and say yes to opportunities that will develop your leadership skills. Many doctors often struggle to make a transition especially to non-clinical careers because they have had no leadership experience.
- You are often the average of those you mingle with. This adage is equally true in medical careers, where there is often group think. Expand your networks, and your circle, veering to areas where you think you have more interest in.
- You were good in math, embrace your financial situation and plan prudently. Financial literacy, or should I say astuteness is even more important for women doctors. You may be, like me, be the only doctor in your clan. Everyone thinks you should come and service their wallets – black tax, I get it. Being a doctor is a means to an end for your clan. But it shouldn’t be a means to your demise. Invest wisely – no one cares about the car you drive. Financial stability will help you in making wise career choices later in life.
- The old adage of taking care of yourself is important. Protect the asset that ought to leave a legacy. That asset is you. Doctor burnout and mental health are real epidemics. Don’t say yes to everything that comes your way. Especially if it is a distraction to you developing your niche. No is a full sentence.
Dr Samukeliso Dube
