Women in Medical Academia Model: A National Experiment in Planned Change.

This project involved a broad multi-faceted national program to increase participation and recognition of women, including minority women, in medical education. It included a grass roots change agency to initiate, coordinate, sustain, measure, and disseminate carefully planned educational reform. Activities carried out during the 7-year project included the following: (1) educational research internships and preceptorships focusing primarily on issues of educational equity were given to 13 women; (2) a comprehensive installation plan for the initiation and development of the role of educational research specialist was designed and implemented on local levels; (3) a national workshop on women in medical academia, attended by 18 medical school administrators, was conducted in order to encourage a supportive environment for programs for women; (4) a minority women in medical academia research and action workshop was conducted; (5) assistance in design and evaluation of continuing medical education offerings was provided to help increase the number of women physician role models; and (6) an annual project newsletter was distributed to all medical school deans, women in medical academia, and representatives of impact groups in order to heighten awareness of women in medical academia. Although evaluation of the project was not final, it was found that the activities of the project had produced changes in individuals that eventually should produce educational equity in institutions. (KC)