(1110) Female Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Attending Physician Perspectives on Career Trajectory

Introduction: The Pediatric Critical Care Medicine (PCCM) workforce has seen a progressive increase in female physicians over the last 40 years, now with over 55% of recent fellowship graduates identifying as female. Factors that influence academic productivity and choice of clinical work environment have not yet been described. This study aims to describe these factors and relate them to time since fellowship completion and academic rank.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional, observational survey-based study. Female PCCM physicians in a social media-based group were invited to participate via posting of an electronic survey. Information collected included demographics, current academic rank and time since fellowship graduation. Participants were asked to rank factors felt to influence their academic productivity and choice of clinical work environment using a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics were used to describe cohort demographic information and to summarize career motivators.

Results: 106 surveys were completed. Median time since completion of fellowship was 7 years [IQR 4, 13]. Academic ranks included 52.3% assistant professor, 29% associate professor, and 8.4% professor. Among the whole cohort, academic productivity was most influenced by personal motivation, time, and divisional leadership support. Importance of research mentor support differed by rank, with greatest importance for assistant professors (p=0.043). Personal work habits were more often viewed as important in associate and full professors than in assistant professors (p=0.034). Most important factors in the choice of clinical work environment included having children and preferences of one’s partner, as well as the culture of the clinical group.

Conclusions: From this survey of female PCCM physicians, academic productivity and choice of career type were driven by self-motivation and family as well as work group culture and cohesion. As women become a major stakeholder in the field, there is increased need to support these factors to ensure career success and longevity. More work is needed to understand the nuances that influence these career motivators and the gender climate for women in PCCM workforce through qualitative interviews.