Becker's Hospital Review

53 WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP Mothers more likely to consider leaving healthcare workforce, survey finds By Mackenzie Bean F emale employees with children and those in clinical roles were more likely to consider leaving the workforce or cutting their hours during the pandemic, according to a study published April 2 in JAMA Network Open. Researchers surveyed 5,030 employees at the Universi- ty of Utah Health in Salt Lake City from Aug. 5-20, 2020. About 75 percent of respondents were women, 86 per- cent were white, and 48 percent had at least one child. Four survey findings: 1. Of employees with children, 66 percent said they did not have child care fully available to them. 2. Twenty-one percent of respondents said they consid- ered leaving the workforce, while 30 percent considered reducing their hours. 3. About 47 percent of respondents said they were wor- ried about COVID-19 affecting their career development. 4. More than half of respondents also reported decreased productivity during the pandemic. "Given the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has on em- ployees of health systems, institutions must find ways to support their employees, both in terms of workplace cul- tural adaptations and assistance with familial responsibili- ties," the study authors said. n Billings Clinic pulls out of talks to build med school, citing comments by education provider execs By Kelly Gooch B illings (Mont.) Clinic said it has ended talks related to a proposed four-year osteopathic medical school in Billings, citing comments made by executive represen- tatives about ethnicity and gender, as well as its existing commitments to medical education. e news comes aer Rocky Vista Universi- ty, a for-profit osteopathic school, revealed plans in February to build a four-year medi- cal school in Billings. It already has campuses in Parker, Colo., and Ivins, Utah. "Billings Clinic has had concerns about many aspects of the [proposed medical school] project," the health system said in a statement shared with Becker's March 25. e health system said those concerns, and other events, have caused Billings Clin- ic to cease discussions with Rocky Vista University representatives. e statement cites incidents in which an ex- ecutive representative of the medical school "cast aspersions on a proposed medical school in Great Falls, Mont., on the basis of that medical school's Jewish affiliation. ose statements intimated that a school with a stated Jewish heritage may not belong in Montana and would not be able to assimilate in the state." Billings Clinic said there was also an instance in which a different executive representative referred to a female Billings Clinic leader as a "token." "ese comments are inconsistent with Bill- ings Clinic's core values, including a dedi- cation to diversity, inclusion, equity and be- longing," the health system said. Before ending talks related to the proposed medical school, Billings Clinic had also ques- tioned how the proposed medical school con- nects with the organization's commitment to medical education, as well as the feasibility of expanding teaching for additional medical students during their clinical rotations. Additionally, the health system expressed concerns about ensuring continuity of ex- isting priority educational partnerships with University of Washington School of Medicine's medical education program, Bill- ings-based Rocky Mountain College's physi- cian assistant program, University of Mon- tana's pharmacy program, nursing education and other programs. In a statement shared with the Billings Gazette, Rocky Vista University said it is dis- appointed about the decision to end talks. David Forstein, DO, who would serve as the vice president and founding dean of the proposed medical school in Billings, also said university representatives have diligent- ly worked to maintain an inclusive process throughout the project, and the univeristy is disappointed about remarks referenced by Billings Clinic. "RVU is deeply committed to providing our students, faculty and staff with a diverse, inclusive and safe environment across our university and healthcare community and are taking the appropriate steps to investi- gate this matter fully," Dr. Forstein said. "is commitment is reflected in the diverse lead- ership we maintain across the highest levels of the university. We hold ourselves to higher standards and we simply do not condone dis- paraging or insensitive comments targeted at any race, ethnicity, gender or religion." He said the university is committed to the de- velopment of the project — which, according to the Billings Gazette, would begin classes in Billings as early as 2023 — and meeting the needs for skilled medical professionals in the area. n

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