There should be a corresponding change in the demographics of business leadership as the United States approaches a majority-minority and almost equal male to female population. Despite efforts to diversify its leadership, the field of family medicine has a persistent problem with fostering female and minority professionals in positions of authority. Researchers looked at the characteristics of Association of Departments of Family Medicine ADFM chairs from U.S. medical schools. About 67% of chairpersons were male, and 53% of those in leadership roles were White, non-Hispanic. The average tenure of male chairs is 9 years, while that of female chairs is only 6 years. A large gap was also found in the tenures of chairs at public and private schools-public, with public school chairs staying in their posts for an average of 9 years compared to the 5 years held by private school chairs. Comparing those who identified as White with those who did not, they found that 28% of Whites held chair positions in private schools, whereas 46% of those who identified as non-White held chair positions. Despite opportunities for advancement into positions of leadership, women and members of underrepresented groups remain underrepresented in such roles. Disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation are only a few examples of factors that need more thorough analysis in future studies.
Source: jabfm.org/content/early/2022/09/01/jabfm.2022.AP.220122
