Skip to main content

Table 3 Gender gap interview guide

From: The perceived organizational impact of the gender gap across a Canadian department of medicine and proposed strategies to combat it: a qualitative study

Interview questions

Interviewer’s notes

Background Information:

 

I have some information that I’d like to share before I asked you the first question. So for the past 10 years, the proportion of men has consistently been higher than the proportion of women in such positions as scientists, teachers, educators, and investigators within the University Of Toronto, Department Of Medicine (UofT DOM). For example, statistics gathered from the U of T DOM in 2015 reveal that 41.8% of women hold a full or associate professor position while 55 % of men hold a full or associate professor position.

1. What is your impression with respect to the information that I’ve read regarding the disproportion or gender gap amongst DOM members? (i.e., were you surprised to hear about this information/not surprise to hear about this information)

If surprised/or in disagreement with statistics –

So you mentioned that you are (surprise/don’t agree) with the statistics, can you explain why (i.e., do you see a more equal distribution of women and men in your workplace)? Are there specific examples of actions that you have seen to reduce the gap between women and men in the DOM?

So having heard about the gender gap, can you hypothesize as to why it might exist in the DOM? OR skip to question #2.

 Probe:

 a. What are some of the roles that women have in your workplace (i.e., researcher or scientist)?

2. In your opinion, what are some of the reasons this gender gap exists in the DOM? OR what would you speculate are some of the reasons this gender gap exists in the DOM?

 

Are there any other factors that you feel influence this gender gap?

 Probes:

 a. Are you aware of the recruitment approaches in the DOM? If so, what is your perception of how members of the DOM are hired at UofT?

 b. May I ask…how were you hired?

3. Do you think the gender gap has influenced the work environment at the DOM? (for example the norms or culture at the DOM)

 

If interviewee is having difficulties answering this question then consider re-phrasing and provide example:

Can you describe the works place environment (i.e., what are the norms or culture at the DOM amongst women and men, is there any differences between gender?) For example do you feel that women receive the same support as men in the DOM

Do you feel supported in your work environment?

I would now like to move away from the DOM and ask you some questions about your hospital setting.

4. In your opinion, do you feel that there is a gender gap within your hospital division? (i.e., is there a disproportion of women versus men in your hospital?)

 

 • If yes, probes:

  a. How so and can you provide specific examples?

  b. In your opinion, what are some of the reasons this gender gap exists within your hospital division?

   i. Are you aware of the recruitment approaches at within your hospital division? If so, what is your perception of how staff are hired within your hospital division?

   ii. May I ask…how were you hired?

  c. Do you think the gender gap has influenced the work environment within your hospital division?

  d. Do you feel that there is a gender gap at other hospital divisions? If yes, how so and can you provide specific examples?

 • If no (i.e., they do not feel that there is a gender gap or they are unaware of a gender gap within their hospital division) probes:

  a. What are some of the actions that your hospital division has taken that you feel eliminates the perception that there is a gender gap amongst staff?

  b. Was there ever a situation in which you felt that perhaps gender gap was a factor? If yes, how so and can you provide examples?

  c. Do you feel that there is a gender gap at other hospital divisions? If yes, how so and can you provide examples?

I would now like you to reflect on your impressions of both the DOM and your hospital setting for the next couple of questions I have for you…

5. What is your experience with career mentorship at the DOM and within your hospital division?

 

 Probes:

 a. Did you have a career mentor?

 b. Have you had the opportunity to be a career mentor to others?

 c. Are you aware if there is a current mentorship model at the DOM or within your hospital division?

 d. In your opinion, has the presence of mentors/mentee relationship influenced the proportion of women versus men in your workplace environment?

6. Have you been personally impacted by the gender gap? (i.e., have you benefited or placed at a disadvantage)

 

 • If yes, probe:

  a. How so and can you provide examples?

  b. Do you know of anyone who has been personally impacted? Can you describe the situation/outcome?

 • If no, probe:

  a. Can you describe why you think you have not been impacted? Can you provide examples?

  b. Do you know of anyone who has been personally impacted? Can you describe the situation/outcome?

7. In your opinion, hearing about these statistics and that there is a gender gap present at DOM, how should the gender gap be addressed (if at all)?

 

8. Do you believe that the gender gap should be monitored over time?

 

 a. If yes, how so? (probe for suggestions)

9. Is there any other feedback that you wish to include about gender gap that we have not discussed?

Â