Sociodemographic and career aspects in female and male faculty members of Swiss medical schools

Objectives: Women are still underrepresented in the senior ranks of medical school faculties. Thus far information has been lacking on gender-sensitive career paths for professorial and non-professorial staff of Swiss medical schools. The aim of this study was to survey faculty members of all Swiss medical schools on sociodemographic aspects, career paths and current career position. Methods: 342 senior and junior faculty members (SFMs/JFMs) participated in a postal questionnaire survey. They represent 61.9% of female SFMs, 41.8% of male SFMs, 35.2% of female JFMs and 40.3% of male JFMs. Results: There was no age difference between the men and women in the two groups (SFMs/JFMs). There were, however, significant gender-typical differences in terms of living arrangements, whether or not they had children of their own, who the children's primary caregiver was, and whether or not the spouse was a researcher as well. Females were significantly less likely to be married or have children, and relied on childminders or nurseries for childcare. Their spouses were more often involved in research. The career paths of physicians in academic medicine showed that fewer female JFMs advanced to tenure, they obtained fewer academic awards and had a lower scientific publication rate. Conclusions: The data show that Swiss medical faculties reflect the same underrepresentation of women in the higher echelons of medicine as most other Western countries. Gender-sensitive mentoring is needed in medical faculties to support women, especially in advancing to tenure and increasing their publication activities.