Comparison of male and female physicianʼs associate program applicants

Abstract

Using personality measures, the author examined Physician's Associate Program applicants at the Duke University School of Medicine, comparing male and female applicants and the outcome for these applicants in terms of acceptance into paramedical training. The perecentage of women accepted into training was similar to the percentage who applied for training. However, women invited for interview were more aggressive, autonomous, impulsive, playful, and flexible than the males invited to interview, suggesting self-selection by women in applying for paramedical training. Women accepted for training were more "feminine" in the conventional sense, and bias against female applicants less accepting of social mores and the traditional female role was revealed. The implications of these findings are discussed.