A Cross-Sectional Study of COVID-19 Impacts on Faculty in Academic Health Care: Lessons Learned to Help Navigate the Current National Institutes of Health Financial Crisis.

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 significantly disrupted academic health care, with evidence suggesting disproportionate impacts on women versus men faculty. Understanding these gender-based differences can inform institutional policies to support equity, a priority amid the current climate, where reduced research funding and limitations to health care access are reshaping the scientific and clinical landscape.

OBJECTIVE

To examine gender differences in pandemic-related professional impacts, caregiving responsibilities, institutional supportive services, and mitigation strategies among faculty at a large academic health care center during COVID-19.

METHODS

All eligible faculty (N = 1448) were invited to complete an anonymous survey about their experiences during the first year of the pandemic. Gender differences were examined using chi-square and independent-samples t tests.

RESULTS

Of 824 respondents (57% response rate), 768 were included in the analyses. Women faculty were significantly more likely than men to report increases in teaching/mentoring (36% vs. 26%) and clinical work (42% vs. 32%), as well as missed career opportunities (31% vs. 20%). Women faculty assumed more childcare (64% vs. 50%) and eldercare (16% vs. 8%) responsibilities during the pandemic. The majority of faculty (78%) did not utilize institutional support services during COVID-19, and qualitative responses suggest substantial barriers to access.

DISCUSSION: Women faculty experienced disproportionate professional and caregiver burdens during the first year of the pandemic. There are long-term implications for gender equity that may bear particular relevance as institutions confront current constraints across clinical and research domains. The findings are used to guide recommendations for how institutions can develop and sustain equity-focused faculty support policies to weather the current financial crisis.