Why are some medical specialists working part-time, while others work full-time?

Jong, Judith de; Heiligers, P.J.M.; Groenewegen, Peter; Hingstman, L.

doi:10.1016/j.healthpol.2005.10.007

Cited by 26 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Most students with a partner choose general practice, because it is more compatible with family life than a medical specialty [3,8,38]. For more clarity in the mediating effect of motives, longitudinal studies are necessary to find out to what extent motives change once someone has started to live together with a partner.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender differences in medical students’ motives and career choice

Heiligers

2012

BMC Med Educ

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BackgroundThe main subject is the influence of gender and the stage of life on the choice of specialty in medical education. In particular we looked at the influence of intrinsic and external motives on this relationship. The choice of specialty was divided into two moments: the choice between medical specialties and general practice; and the preference within medical specialties. In earlier studies the topic of motivation was explored, mostly related to gender. In this study stage of life in terms of living with a partner -or not- and stage of education was added.MethodsA questionnaire concerning career preferences was used. The online questionnaire was sent to all student members of the KNMG (Royal Dutch Medical Association). 58% of these students responded (N = 2397). Only 1478 responses could be used for analyses (36%). For stipulating the motives that played a role, principal components factor analysis has been carried out. For testing the mediation effect a set of regression analyses was performed: logistic regressions and multiple regressions.ResultsAlthough basic findings about gender differences in motivations for preferred careers are consistent with earlier research, we found that whether or not living with a partner is determinant for differences in profession-related motives and external motives (lifestyle and social situation). Furthermore living with a partner is not a specific female argument anymore, since no interactions are found between gender and living with a partner. Another issue is that motives are mediating the relationship between, living with a partner, and the choice of GP or medical specialty. For more clarity in the mediating effect of motives a longitudinal study is needed to find out about motives and changing circumstances.ConclusionsThe present study provides a contribution to the knowledge of career aspirations of medical students, especially the impact of motivation. Gender and living with a partner influence both choices, but they are not interacting, so living with a partner is similarly important for male and female students in choosing their preferences. Moreover, external and intrinsic motives mediate this relationship to a greater of lesser degree. First stage students are influenced by life-style and intrinsic motives in their choice of general practice. For second stage students, the results show influences of life-style motives next to profession-related motives on both moments of choice.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender differences in medical students’ motives and career choice

Heiligers

2012

BMC Med Educ

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“…Within the international literature Groenewegen et al, de Jong et al, Groenewegen and Hutten, and Calnan et al [9][10][11][12][13][14] provide important knowledge about how the time-allocation and labour supply of general practitioners (GPs) and medical specialists are related to factors such as type of reimbursement system, patient demand and supply characteristics. With regards to the Norwegian case, the research on work time-allocation has however been scantier and according to Bjørngaard and Hatling [15] only a few rather descriptive studies have so far addressed the topic [16][17][18][19][20].…”

Section: Background and Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medical specialists’ allocation of working time

Midttun¹

2007

Health Policy

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“…The profile of the medical profession is changing - not only with the increase in the proportion of female doctors, but also with changes in employment conditions, attitudes towards the profession and the life style of young doctors [1,2]. The percentage of females graduating from medical school has increased by up to 60 percent in most Western countries [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of gender and parenthood on physicians' careers - professional and personal situation seven years after graduation

Buddeberg-Fischer

Stamm

Buddeberg

et al. 2010

BMC Health Serv Res

196

186

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BackgroundThe profile of the medical profession is changing in regard to feminization, attitudes towards the profession, and the lifestyle aspirations of young physicians. The issues addressed in this study are the careers of female and male physicians seven years after graduation and the impact of parenthood on career development.MethodsData reported originates from the fifth assessment (T5) of the prospective SwissMedCareer Study, beginning in 2001 (T1). At T5 in 2009, 579 residents (81.4% of the initial sample at T1) participated in the questionnaire survey. They were asked about occupational factors, career-related factors including specialty choice and workplace, work-life balance and life satisfaction. The impact of gender and parenthood on the continuous variables was investigated by means of multivariate and univariate analyses of variance; categorical variables were analyzed using Chi-square tests.ResultsFemale physicians, especially those with children, have lower rates of employment and show lower values in terms of career success and career support experiences than male physicians. In addition, parenthood has a negative impact on these career factors. In terms of work-life balance aspired to, female doctors are less career-oriented and are more inclined to consider part-time work or to continue their professional career following a break to bring up a family. Parenthood means less career-orientation and more part-time orientation. As regards life satisfaction, females show higher levels of satisfaction overall, especially where friends, leisure activities, and income are concerned. Compared to their male colleagues, female physicians are less advanced in their specialty qualification, are less prone to choosing prestigious surgical fields, have a mentor less often, more often work at small hospitals or in private practice, aspire less often to senior hospital or academic positions and consider part-time work more often. Any negative impact on career path and advancement is exacerbated by parenthood, especially as far as women are concerned.ConclusionThe results of the present study reflect socially-rooted gender role stereotypes. Taking into account the feminization of medicine, special attention needs to be paid to female physicians, especially those with children. At an early stage of their career, they should be advised to be more proactive in seeking mentoring and career-planning opportunities. If gender equity in terms of career chances is to be achieved, special career-support measures will have to be provided, such as mentoring programs, role models, flexitime and flexible career structures.

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Why are some medical specialists working part-time, while others work full-time?

Cited by 26 publications

References 9 publications

Gender differences in medical students’ motives and career choice

Gender differences in medical students’ motives and career choice

Medical specialists’ allocation of working time

The impact of gender and parenthood on physicians' careers - professional and personal situation seven years after graduation

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