Abstract:
Aims: To compare and contrast the demographic and working characteristics of female and male rural general practitioners (GPs) in New Zealand, and to highlight issues specific to female rural GPs. Methods: Anonymous postal questionnaires were sent to 559 rural GPs in November 1999. Results: Completed questionnaires were returned by 417 rural GPs (75%). Of the 338 rural GPs who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 93 (28%) were female. Eighty percent of female rural GPs were younger than 45 years of age compared with 53% of male rural GPs (p <0.01). Women were less likely to be in full-time practice (45% vs 90%) or own their own practice (63% vs 83%) (p <0.01). Concerns about locum scarcities, overwork, excessive on-call, bureaucratic demands, and GP shortages were equally important to both genders - while issues of security, accreditation, and combining work and family were mentioned by female GPs. Conclusions: Most of the quantitative gender differences could be explained by the female rural GPs being younger (80% in their child-bearing years). Recognising and addressing the specific difficulties faced by part-time female rural GPs, such as by providing more flexible work options, would create a more favourable environment, likely to retain and recruit more women.
