Ethics Governance
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| Article - Abstract. To view full article click on the article title. | |
CBHD: Women Physicians and Lifestyle: What Are All Those Doctors Doing? - by Gregory W. Rutecki, M.D. A generation has passed since I graduated from Medical School. Much has changed over this time, not the least of which has been a distinctive “feminization” of medicine. Over the past twenty years, the percentage of U.S. Medical School graduates who were women increased from 27% to approximately 45%. That increase continued without plateau in the last decade (1996-2002), and, in fact, the last few years have witnessed another 4% increase. In this regard, medicine is no different from other professions, such as law and business, where the same demographic trends related to gender are apparent.1 What are the perceived advantages and disadvantages of a medical workforce comprised by a greater number of women physicians? Research has demonstrated that women doctors possess better communication skills than men and are more likely to engage in discussions that are patient-friendly.2 As a result, outcomes may be improving, and malpractice suits may be declining. A contrasting perspective gives voice to concern that part-time doctoring by women—the result of their full menu as physicians, wives, mothers, and caretakers of aging parents—will create a critical shortage of physicians. Is there a bona-fide crisis looming here? Is the feminization of medicine responsible? There is an evolving crisis, but I would like to re-frame the discussion. Full Article: http://www.cbhd.org/resources/healthcare/rutecki_2005-02-04.htm |
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2006 Ethics-Governance.com |
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