Mentoring, especially for young people and individuals from diverse backgrounds, will help create a more inclusive and representative workforce in the field of oncology and ultimately lead to a more inclusive and representative workforce, according to experts at the University of Wisconsin (UW) School of Medicine and Public Health. Ultimately, it can improve patient outcomes and quality of care.
“We know the value of having a diverse workforce. [Speaking to] Youth, young adults and those on their training courses [to make them] It is very important to be aware of what your career will look like,” said Dr. Janelle N. Sobecki.
In an interview with onclive®, Mr. Sobecki was joined by Katherine Chan, MD, MPH. Monica Patel, MD. Loida Braithwaite, NP, and the group discussed the importance of having more women in leadership positions within oncology and emphasized the value of continued mentorship during education and beyond.
At the University of California School of Medicine School of Public Health in Madison, Zhang is an assistant professor of gynecologic oncology in the division of obstetrics and gynecology. Patel is an assistant professor of hematology, medical oncology and palliative care in the Department of Hematology and Oncology. Sobecki is an assistant professor of gynecologic oncology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (CHS). Braithwaite is an oncology nurse at UW Health.
onclive: How do you envision the future of women's representation and leadership in oncology research, clinical practice, and healthcare management?
Zhang: In general, I would like to see more women in leadership positions, whether in research, clinical practice, or policy. [making]. Women currently make up approximately one-third of the oncology workforce. However, we only account for one-fifth of full-time professors and one-third of department chairs. This is especially true for subspecialties such as urological oncology and surgical oncology.
We have a lot of room to grow by having more women leaders. Research shows that programs with one or more women in leadership positions have a higher average percentage of women on the faculty.
Braithwaite: We envision that female representation in oncology leadership will continue to increase, especially in the field of advanced practice nursing. Historically, nursing in all its forms, including bedside and advanced practice, has been a predominantly female-led profession. However, it also comes with its ups and downs. Historically, women have been absent from decision-making forums.
we are in a good position to continue [improving the representation] Female. Across all specialties and areas of healthcare, we now take a multidisciplinary approach, especially in oncology.Towards an era where clinical practice and research can be integrated in the medical field [together]. It also generates knowledge that impacts patient care and patient health outcomes.
We will continue to integrate our workforce and academia. [more women]. I envision a continued presence of women leaders in all fields and close collaboration across all areas of oncology care.
Patel: A big reason I came to the University of California is the fact that there are many women leaders in academic positions at the university. This is a great compliment to the University of California and a reason why I am proud to be here. There's still a lot of work to do, but it's incredible to see so many women in leadership positions.
What steps are needed to foster a more diverse and inclusive environment for women in cancer care?
Braithwaite: Studies have shown that female health care providers, researchers, and clinicians tend to have different perspectives on health care, and patient satisfaction with women health care providers tends to be different when it comes to the care they receive. is also shown. What we can do to continue to foster this diverse and inclusive environment is to continue to empower younger generations of women leaders.
As a woman in oncology, [we need to] We will continue to support each other and foster growth in all areas. This ensures that we continue to support and maintain the diversity we need. I also empathize with ethnic minority people. You have to prove that you are a woman in the field, and in addition, you have to prove that you speak English as a second language.
Support and create those paths [other women] We need to keep growing. It is critical that women continue to succeed in oncology. [including] Highly skilled nurses, colleagues, physicians, and researchers. We are the pillars of every step we take when it comes to cancer care.
Sobecki: Mentorship is key. Certainly at this level, I have benefited from the guidance of many influential women; [also early in my career].For those of us who have reached our current position, that guidance is [is important]. Many communities, even at the high school level, have programs aimed at supporting women in science and women in medicine, and these positions in science do not have to be viewed a certain way. We are informing young people and young adults about this. We support people from all walks of life in their decision to pursue science. [by providing] Teaching throughout the department and medical school.
As students rotated with us, [we must] Give that guidance back and help women and people from more diverse backgrounds understand that these fields are beneficial. [by including] People from all walks of life. A particular specialty doesn't have to be viewed in a particular way. If someone is interested and passionate about something, [a certain area]we know that patients are better served by individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Patel: Another way to reduce disparities in cancer treatment for women patients is to enroll them in clinical trials. Clinical trials are an important part of oncology treatment, but we know that: [female patients] They are less likely to enroll in research.
Clinical trials are extremely important not only to advance cancer treatment but also to allow the results of clinical trials to be generalized. [the real-world] Number of patients including women.If you don't include them [in trials]how can [these studies] Is it representative of the entire patient population? We need to make sure we include women in research, and it's important that we continue to think about that as female providers and make sure we're included in this field.
