Women in hospital medicine in the United Kingdom: glass ceiling, preference, prejudice or cohort effect?

摘要: OBJECTIVE—To assess from official statistics whether there is evidence that the careers of women doctors in hospitals do not progress same way as those men. DESIGN—The proportions female hospital overall (1963-96), and specialties medicine, surgery, obstetrics gynaecology, pathology, radiology/radiotherapy, anaesthetics psychiatry (1974-1996) were examined. Additionally data examined on career preferences intentions pre-registration house officers, final year medical students, school applicants (1966-1991). ANALYSIS—Data analysed according to cohort entry extent disproportionate promotion. RESULTS—The proportion posts was largely explained by rapidly increasing entering during past three decades. In general little for promotion careers, although medicine fewer seemed beyond SHO grade, deficits at each stage. Analyses suggest cannot readily be differential choice women. CONCLUSIONS—Although no such a "glass ceiling" current paucity consultants primarily reflects historical trends numbers school, some cases best interpreted direct or indirect discrimination.