Does gender matter? A hermeneutic phenomenological study of the shared experience of women physicians in academic pediatrics
Date
2024
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Abstract
Academic medicine, historically dominated by men, has perpetuated a hierarchical culture that marginalizes women (Boulis & Jacobs, 2008; Morantz-Sanchez, 1985; More et al., 2009; Pololi, 2010). Despite this, the presence of women physicians in academic settings has surged, challenging traditional norms. In pediatric academic medicine, women physicians encounter the need to navigate through this entrenched male-dominated culture. Understanding their experiences is crucial for hospital administrators and medical school leaders. This study investigates the experiences of women physicians in academic pediatrics at a nationally ranked institution. This research sheds light on how women physicians navigate the challenges of a traditionally male-dominated work environment and how their professional lives intersect with personal aspects. This exploration of the layered complexities women physicians face in academic pediatrics provides insight into their lived experiences. Employing hermeneutic phenomenology, this study delves into the lived experiences of women physicians, providing a platform to amplify their voices. Anchored in constructivism, the study's paradigmatic position is elucidated through five governing axioms: defining reality, the knower's relationship with the known, transferability, association linkages, and the role of values in inquiry (Lincoln & Guba, 2013, pp. 37-38). Eight essential themes, distilled from participant interviews, capture the essence of their experiences. These themes, categorized into personal and institutional perspectives, are viewed through the lenses of agency and structure, mirroring the yin-yang duality. This approach acknowledges both harmony and potential overlap among themes, presenting the phenomenon as a synthesized whole. Implications for theory, research, and practice are discussed. Further research avenues are proposed, along with insights for refining existing theory. Additionally, considerations for various stakeholders' practices are examined, encompassing recommendations for action. The study concludes with an epilogue, reconsidering the findings based on recent social events.
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Subject
human resource development
qualitative
phenomenology
constructivism