In order to identify the concerns and possible barriers for women considering careers in academic medicine , in 1990 the authors surveyed both men and women medical students , housestaff , postdoctoral students , and junior faculty at The University of California , San Francisco ( UCSF ). The authors achieved a 58 % response rate from students and faculty , a 21 % response rate from postdoctoral students , and a 15 % response rate from housestaff . Results indicated that women at all levels were less interested in academic careers than were their male colleagues . Concerns about balancing family responsibilities , clinical practice , and teaching in addition to the research required of an academic career were mentioned most frequently . Women , especially those among the housestaff and junior faculty , reported fewer mentor relationships and role models . The authors discuss these findings in relation to other studies and describe what they are doing to foster women's interest and success in academic medicine at UCSF .