Promotion of women in academic medicine. Shatter the ceilings, polish the floors

In this issue ofTHE JOURNAL, Tesch and colleagues1investigate possible reasons for the findings of other studies, cited in their publication, that it takes longer for women than men to achieve higher academic ranks in schools of medicine. The approach of surveying faculty members 11 years after first faculty appointment differs from that of other investigators and reveals new insights; even after controlling for many factors considered to be measures of academic preparedness in success, women remained less likely to have been promoted. See also p 1022. The finding that the attrition rate from medical school faculties was similar for men and women is surprising. It would have been interesting to know the percentage, if any, of women who took leaves of absence or worked part-time during any of the 11 years before the survey was conducted. The findings by Tesch et al regarding marriage, divorce, and number