A Narrative Review of Women in Medicine Interest Groups at the Pre-Medical, Graduate, and Post-Graduate Medical Education Levels

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2025.2281

Keywords:

Toolkit, Women, Medicine, Education, Medical, Undergraduate, Pre-Medical, Graduate, Medical Education, Interest Groups

Abstract

Women in Medicine (WIM) interest groups can provide collaboration and support for the professional development of women as they navigate the gender inequities that persist in the healthcare workplace. This narrative review assesses successful methods used by multiple institutions to form groups and toolkits catered to women's empowerment. Medical career education was stratified into three levels: Pre-Medical, Graduate, and Post-graduate Medical Education. Keyword literature search on peer-reviewed platforms including Google Scholar, PubMed, OVID, Ebsco, and gray literature (i.e. medical societies toolkits) was used to identify applicable articles. We aimed to develop a toolkit derived from literature findings consisting of a list of ten steps for creating and maintaining a successful WIM group based on successful measures reported in the literature. Mentorship, adequate resources, administrative supportive efforts, networking, and safe spaces were found to be essential to career growth for women on each of the pre-established educational levels.

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This document outlines the initial four steps for Creating and Maintaining a Successful WIM (Women in Medicine) Group, focusing on building a foundation through institutional identification and mentorship. The process begins by identifying prospective members and conducting a needs-based assessment to tailor the group's objectives. It then progresses to recruiting mentoring faculty and alumnae from local institutions, eventually providing these leaders with specific training materials and workshops derived from previous successful endeavors to ensure the group's long-term sustainability.

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Published

2025-10-28 — Updated on 2025-10-28

How to Cite

Bhagudas, S., Crump, A., Azevedo Sansoni, G., Kays, M., Jain, S., & Bhayani, R. (2025). A Narrative Review of Women in Medicine Interest Groups at the Pre-Medical, Graduate, and Post-Graduate Medical Education Levels. International Journal of Medical Students, 13(4), 434–440. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2025.2281

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 4 (2025)

Section

Review

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Copyright (c) 2025 Sarah Bhagudas, Alisha Crump, Gabriela Azevedo Sansoni, DeeDee Rubert, Marah Kays, Shikha Jain, Rakhee Bhayani

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