Description 

Despite decades of increasing female representation in medicine, women psychiatrists remain underrepresented in leadership roles across the profession. This enduring activity explores the factors contributing to this disparity—such as implicit gender bias, leadership attrition, and work-life challenges—and presents concrete strategies for systemic improvement. The session focuses on the history and leadership pipeline provided by the Association of Women Psychiatrists (AWP), contrasting it with APA's formal structures like the Women’s Caucus, Committee on Women’s Mental Health, and the Council on Women. Through discussions of mentorship, networking, policy engagement, and historical analysis, participants will be empowered to actively contribute to closing the gender gap and fostering inclusive leadership development throughout the profession.

Format 

Recorded webinar.

This content was recorded during the APA 2024 Annual Meeting.

Learning Objectives 

1. Describe the underrepresentation of women physicians in leadership roles, the potential reasons, and how to address this gender gap.

2. Discuss the history of women leadership in the APA and the various opportunities for participation.

3. Seek opportunities for mentorship throughout their careers.

4. Recognize how implicit bias contributes to the gender gap and negatively affects women physicians of color, in particular.

5. Demonstrate an understanding of how systemic issues affect women physicians and identify strategies for improving them.

Target Audience 

Residents/Fellows, Psychiatrists, Psychologists

Estimate Time to Complete 

Estimated Duration: 1.25 hours
Program Start Date: May 17, 2025
Program End Date: May 17, 2028

How to Earn Credit 

Participants who wish to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ may do so after completing all sections of the course including the evaluation. After evaluating the program, course participants will be provided with an opportunity to claim hours of participation and print an official CME certificate (physicians) or certificate of participation (non-physicians) showing the completion date and hours earned. 

Continuing Education Credit  

In support of improving patient care, the American Psychiatric Association is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 

The APA designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

Faculty and Planner Disclosures 

The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity — including faculty, planners, reviewers or others — are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity. 

Instructors 

• Amy Alexander, MD
• Ludmila De Faria, MD
• Silvia Olarte, MD
• Frances Lu, MD

Planners  

• Vishal Madaan, MD, Chief of Education and Deputy Medical Director at the American Psychiatric Association.

Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities 

The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. Please contact the American Psychiatric Association at 202-559-3900, if you require assistance seven (7) business days prior to the start of a live webinar. 

Technical Requirements 

This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following: 

• The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari 
• Internet Explorer 11+ 

This Web site requires that JavaScript and session cookies be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Windows Media Player. 

Optimal System Configuration: 

• Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version) 
• Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version) 
• Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher 

Minimum Requirements: 

• Windows PC: Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content 
• Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher with latest updates installed; Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512 MB or higher RAM; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content 

For assistance: Contact educme@psych.org for questions about this activity | Contact learningcenter@psych.org for technical assistance