Comparison of career patterns of male and female graduates of one Australian medical school

Abstract

Although the proportion of women graduating from Australian medical schools has increased markedly in recent years, female doctors fall behind their male peers in progression in postgraduate training and select different career options. The graduates (1982–1988) of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Newcastle, New South Wales were surveyed by a self‐complete questionnaire, examining measures of career progression and factors influencing career choice with particular reference to gender. No gender differences were found in age, graduation with honors, years from graduation, or marital status. Significant gender differences were found in postgraduate qualifications, likelihood of occupying a specialty training position, likelihood of training in a specialty other than general practice, hours worked, likelihood of gender/child care considerations influencing career choice, and income. The career progression and choice of specialty of female doctors is influenced by gender considerations and child care re...