Gender Equity Education in Oncology: A Survey Study of Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program Directors

Female patients and physicians experience gender-based challenges in medicine. We aimed to evaluate the extent of training on gender disparities in patient care and equity among physicians by hematology-oncology (HO) programs, along with barriers to training implementation. We conducted an online survey of 171 HO fellowship program directors (PDs) registered in the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) or participating in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). We asked about perceived importance of gender equity (GE), extent of GE training provided, and barriers to providing it. Responses were recorded using Likert scales, multiple choice, and open-ended responses. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Fifty-six program directors completed the survey (32.7%). Most felt training in GE issues is “somewhat” to “very” important to patient care (69.6%) and the physician workforce (80.4%). However, most reported their programs do not provide training in GE regarding patient care (83.9%) or the physician workforce (78.6%), most commonly due to lack of resources. Most were interested in resources for patient (93.9%) and physician (88.6%) GE. Programs were open to sharing training materials for patient (44.4%) and physician (66.7%) GE. While most HO PDs feel that GE training is important for patient care and the physician workforce, most fellowships do not offer such training primarily due to lack of resources. Given the interest for more educational GE resources, there are opportunities to develop and share materials to enhance GE training for future HO physicians.