Extending the Mandatory Promotion Timeline: Career Outcomes Disaggregated by Gender

Abstract

Objective:

Most U.S. medical schools have probationary period extension (PPE) policies, but career and financial outcomes have not been compared between genders.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study comparing PPE use, career outcomes, and lifetime earning potential between women and men assistant professors appointed between 1995 and 2013 at one institution.

Results:

Of the 1,840 faculty included in the career outcomes analysis, 37% (680/1,840) were women and 63% (1160/1,840) were men. Twenty-three percent (426/1,840) took at least one PPE. Women were more likely than men to take PPEs (33% versus 17%, p < 0.001). Faculty who took extensions had higher odds of being promoted (odds ratio = 1.867 [1.493–2.335]), taking a leave of absence (odds ratio = 1.455 [1.113–1.902]), taking a reduction in duties (odds ratio = 5.078 [1.498–2.322]), and/or being retained (odds ratio = 1.865 [1.498–2.322]). For the 2,605 faculty included in the financial analysis, the cumulative loss in earning potential due to PPE was $24,235,134 per 1,000 women faculty versus $14,422,404 per 1,000 men faculty.

Conclusions and Relevance:

The PPE policy contributes to faculty advancement and retention but is more likely to be utilized by women than men. Institutions with gender differences in PPE use should consider strategies to ameliorate adverse economic outcomes.