Family-Friendly Conferences: A Commitment to Women in Academia
Over the past 2 generations, there has been a dramatic change in the face of medicine as more women enter the profession. Women currently account for almost 70% of trainees entering pediatrics.1 In addition, an increased number of women are pursuing careers in academic medicine.2 This increasing participation of women, along with the high numbers of pediatricians approaching early retirement, is sparking interest in exploring strategies for integrating family and career into one’s life.3
EDITOR’s NOTE: In spring 2005, the Federation of Pediatric Organizations (FOPO) published The Report of The Task Force on Women in Pediatrics (available at www.fopo.org). This report articulated numerous recommendations toward the goal of providing a culture change that will allow women in academic pediatrics to flourish. Critical to this endpoint is the establishment of a more family-friendly work environment in all of the settings in which academic pediatricians must function. This and related issues are being further addressed by FOPO’s Second Task Force on Women in Pediatrics. The Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs (AMSPDC) is a member of FOPO and is represented in the Second Task Force on Women in Pediatrics. The AMSPDC is fully committed to the importance of achieving the structural and cultural changes needed to allow women to reach their full potential within pediatrics; we encourage the submission of articles and commentaries addressing these issues for publication in the AMSPDC section of The Journal. The following commentary offers an important perspective by a fellow with 2 young children and her recommendations for childcare at pediatric meetings.—Bonita Stanton, MD, Section Editor, The Journal of Pediatrics
PII: S0022-3476(07)00988-2
doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2007.10.023
© 2008 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
