Comparison of the productivity of women and men physicians

Abstract

Data obtained from random samples of 87 women and 95 men physicians in the Detroit metropolitan area indicate that, at the time of surgery, 84% of the women and 96% of the men were engaged in medical work. Only 7% of the women were not working because of reasons related to the traditional female role. Fifty-nine percent of the women and 87% of the men had worked full-time since medical school graduation. Fifty-one percent of the women, compared to 39% of the men were in primary care specialties. Since medical graduation, women physicians spent 90% as much time in medical work as did the men, despite the fact that most of the women had full responsibility for homes and families.