Women Physicians in Medical Academia: A National Statistical Survey

We determined the representation of women physicians on US medical school faculties by enumeration from school catalogues according to professorial rank, title series, and departmental affiliation. We also compiled similar data for top-level administrative posts, using periodic chronological comparisons from 1955 through 1977 and 1978. Despite a burgeoning population of women medical students, we found a pattern of underuse of women physicians characterized by limited upward mobility on the faculty (professor: median, 3.0%; range, 0% to 18.2%; assistant professor: median, 7.3%; range, 0% to 28.7%). There were no women in chief executive positions. (JAMA 241:2808-2812, 1979).