"I Can Open the Door": Sponsorship Roles and Practices in Academic Medicine

The authors aimed to explore how leaders in academic medicine approach and implement sponsorship to support faculty career advancement. Through qualitative interviews with 15 leaders, they found that while there is a commitment to sponsorship, barriers such as time constraints, unclear expectations, and a lack of institutional support hinder its effectiveness. The study highlights the need for clearer definitions and enhanced infrastructure to promote equitable sponsorship practices.