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Female osteopathic medical students: When the minority become the majority

Journal: Unpublished PhD thesis Loyola University Chicago, Date: 2008/01, , type of study: qualitative study

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Keywords:

female [379]
gender [25]
medical students [402]
osteopathic medicine [1540]
qualitative study [209]
USA [1086]
women [333]

Abstract:

In 2003, women became the majority of first-year students at osteopathic medical schools. Experts predict that sometime in the next 30 to 50 years, women will become the majority of physicians in the United States. The current time represents a turning point in the history of medical education—the moment when women become a majority within the profession. This study explores the motivations and expectations of a representative sample of both male and female first- and second-year students at osteopathic medical colleges. A total of 20 medical students were interviewed regarding their career motivations, career influencers, career expectations, plans for combining career and family, personal challenges and resources, and view of the role of gender in their experiences. Student perspectives on pursuing a medical career are explored, focusing on both similarities and differences between the genders. The investigation found that male and female students share similar motivations and expectations regarding their careers in medicine. Both genders cite volume of information and finding balance between career and family as the most significant challenges. They view gender primarily as a neutral factor and point to themselves and their families as the most important resources. Gender differences were found in the areas of specialty choice, practice type, and part- or full-time employment. Only men indicated surgery, family medicine, and internal medicine as potential residency choices, and only men considered solo practice. The women informants all stated that they would consider working part-time during their child-bearing years, while the men planned to work full-time until retirement. Both men and women stressed the importance of finding an appropriate life balance between career and family. This cohort of osteopathic medical students, with equal numbers of men and women, signal the values and priorities of a new generation of future physicians. Medical schools must address student service programs, pedagogic enhancements, and faculty recruitment concerns, while the medical profession should assess flexible scheduling for residency programs and workforce implications. Medical employers should develop more job sharing and part-time employment opportunities for men and women physicians.


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