Society for women in academic psychiatry: a peer mentoring approach.

OBJECTIVE: Despite an increasing presence of women in medicine, the percentage of women in academic psychiatry remains low. At the University of California, Davis, women represent two-thirds of psychiatry residents; however, the percentage of female faculty is one-third. This article presents a novel approach to the academic gender gap problem. METHOD: The Society for Women in Academic Psychiatry (S.W.A.P.) is a peer mentoring group founded by junior women faculty. RESULTS: S.W.A.P. results to date include educational products, departmental demographic changes, and climate improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Although results are encouraging, more effort is needed to achieve a true culture change.