Women in medicine month, with Yalda Jabbarpour, M.D., and Annie Koempel, Ph.D., M.A., RDN, LD

As Women in Medicine Month comes to a close, Yalda Jabbarpour, M.D., director of the Robert Graham Center at the American Academy of Family Physicians and Annie Koempel, Ph.D., M.A., RDN, LD, qualitative scientist at the American Board of Family Medicine, join the show to discuss their recent study on early career women in family medicine.

They share insights on how women physicians are already leading in unrecognized ways, why traditional definitions of leadership often miss their contributions and what needs to change to create more inclusive models of leadership in medicine.

Read their full study, "'I consider myself to be a leader': a qualitative exploration of early career women family physicians' intentions to assume a leadership role," published in Family Practice.

Don't miss our recent episodes on challenging your limits, the future of medical research, building a brand and nutrition in medical education.

Music Credits:
Lo-Fi Chillhop by AVANT-BEATS - stock.adobe.com
Relaxing Lounge by Classy Call me Man - stock.adobe.com
A Textbook Example by Skip Peck - stock.adobe.com

Editor's note: Episode timestamps and transcript produced using AI tools.

Introduction and Episode Overview (00:00:00) Host introduces the podcast, guests, and the focus on women in medicine and leadership roles.

Invisible Leadership Roles of Women Physicians (00:01:07) Discussion of unrecognized leadership tasks like mentorship, teaching, and collaborative team leadership.

Impact of Unrecognized Leadership on Career Advancement (00:04:02) Explores how lack of recognition affects career progression, compensation and contributes to burnout.

Emotional Labor and Frustration (00:05:25) Addresses the emotional toll and frustration women experience from unacknowledged leadership work.

Traditional Definitions of Leadership in Medicine (00:05:43) Examines why leadership is seen as bureaucratic and disciplinary, and its impact on women’s aspirations.

Collaborative vs. Traditional Leadership Styles (00:08:25) Highlights how women define and practice leadership differently, emphasizing collaboration and community.

Examples of Invisible Leadership in Practice (00:09:01) Specific examples of quality improvement and collaborative leadership that go unrecognized.

Balancing Leadership, Career and Family (00:11:10) Discusses challenges and myths around balancing family responsibilities with leadership roles.

Consequences of Narrow Leadership Definitions (00:13:42) Explores risks to primary care, workforce and patient outcomes if leadership definitions don’t broaden.

Innovative Leadership Models: Collaboration and Flexibility (00:16:53) Describes what collaborative, flexible leadership models could look like in real practice.

Small Changes and Practical Examples (00:19:23) Shares practical, everyday changes that foster a more inclusive and supportive work environment.

Restructuring Leadership in Family Medicine (00:20:55) Suggestions for changing leadership structures to include those impacted by decisions.

Advice for Early Career Women Physicians (00:21:49) Guidance on mentorship, self-advocacy and redefining leadership for early career women.

Optimism for the Future of Women in Leadership (00:24:53) Panelists share reasons for hope, including the new generation’s willingness to challenge the status quo.

Acknowledging Gender Diversity and Broader Relevance (00:26:30) Notes the importance of recognizing gender diversity and the relevance of these issues beyond medicine.

Closing and Podcast Information (00:27:20) Host wraps up, thanks guests and provides information on subscribing and further resources.