Pediatric faculty members' attitudes about part-time faculty positions and policies to support part-time faculty: a study at one medical center.
OBJECTIVE
To examine pediatric faculty members' attitudes about part-time faculty positions and policies to support part-time faculty.


METHODS
In 2001, an anonymous 26-item questionnaire assessing attitudes about part-time faculty was mailed to all 441 faculty members of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Multivariable analyses were used to determine faculty characteristics associated with specific attitudes, and qualitative methods were used to analyze responses to an open-ended item assessing beliefs about facilitating part-time careers.


RESULTS
Three hundred (68%) faculty members completed questionnaires. Twenty-nine (10%) worked part-time and an additional 88 (33%) had considered part-time work, primarily because of dependent children. Although 177 (59%) believed that part-time faculty were perceived as being less committed to their careers and the institution, 207 (69%) believed part-time faculty should be eligible for all academic tracks and 219 (73%) that they should be allowed extension of time to obtain tenure. Most reported that policy changes to support part-time faculty would enhance diversity (N = 234, 78%) and improve recruitment, retention, and promotion of female faculty. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that women and respondents with dependent children were more likely to be concerned about perceived commitment and more likely to endorse policies to support part-time faculty. Participants suggested that part-time careers for faculty would be facilitated by clarifying productivity expectations, expanding resources, and modifying existing policies.


CONCLUSIONS
Although women and respondents with dependent children were concerned about perceived commitment of part-time faculty and were most supportive of policies that would support part-time faculty, pediatric faculty generally supported such policies.
Kahn
Jessica A
JA
Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, MLC 4000, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA. jessica.kahn@cchmc.org
Degen
Sandra J F
SJ
Mansour
Mona E
ME
Goodman
Elizabeth
E
Zeller
Meg H
MH
Laor
Tal
T
Lanphear
Nancy E
NE
Boat
Thomas F
TF
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D002322:Career Mobility; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016134:Organizational Policy; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010822:Physicians, Women; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology