Retention of entry-level faculty members in obstetrics and gynecology.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine retention rates of entry-level physician faculty members in obstetrics and gynecology.

Study Design: Ongoing data were collected by the Association of American Medical Colleges between 1981 and 2009 for full-time, entry-level assistant professors to determine whether they remained at their original departments, switched to another school, or left academia. Retention curves and 5- and 10-year retention rates at their original department and for academia were determined.

Results: The number of entry-level faculty members per year increased significantly for women and those faculty members in general obstetrics and gynecology. Retention rates at the original departments improved for all disciplines in recent years (2000-09), regardless of sex. Among those faculty members who left their original department, faculty members in general obstetrics/gynecology were more likely than subspecialists to leave academia.

Conclusion: Growth in the number of entry-level physician faculty members was accompanied by higher retention rates at their original departments only in recent years.