The Impact of Women in Scottish Primary Care
Author Information
Author(s): Brian McKinstry, Iain Colthart, Katy Elliott, Colin Hunter
Primary Institution: University of Edinburgh
Hypothesis
How do male and female general practitioners in Scotland divide their time between general medical services and other activities?
Conclusion
Women doctors in primary care in Scotland work fewer hours than their male counterparts, which may lead to a future shortfall in medical availability.
Supporting Evidence
- Male principals spent on average 18% more time on general medical services than female principals.
- Women contribute only about 60% of the activity of men in aspects of general practice involved with its development.
- 73 GP principals planned to increase their sessions, while 288 planned to decrease them.
Takeaway
In Scotland, women doctors work less than men, which could mean fewer doctors available in the future if this keeps happening.
Methodology
Anonymous workload questionnaires were distributed to all Scottish general practitioner principals and non-principals.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the anonymity of responses and the possibility of inflated self-reports.
Limitations
The study relies on self-reported data, which may not accurately reflect actual workloads.
Participant Demographics
The study included both male and female general practitioners in Scotland, with a higher proportion of women in younger age groups.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website