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Big Gap in Pay Between Young Male and Female Doctors
Female physicians just starting out are paid nearly $17,000 less than their male counterparts, and earn much less than men across nearly all specialties, according to a new study in Health Affairs. The study found that the pay gap exists even after factoring in such things as medical specialty and hours worked.
While disparities in physician salaries between men and women is nothing new, the size of the gap continues to grow. The study found a difference in pay of $16,819 in 2008, up from $3,600 in 1999. The survey sampled 4,918 men and 3,315 women.
The study’s lead author Anthony Lo Sasso, a professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, suggested that the pay gap exists because women doctors look for more workplace flexibility, such as not being on call after certain hours. He believes that employers need to reconsider pay and working arrangement for male and female physicians, particularly in primary care.
“It is not surprising to say that women physicians make less than male physicians because women traditionally choose lower-paying jobs in primary care fields or they choose to work fewer hours,” Lo Sasso told the Journal. “What is surprising is that even when we account for specialty and hours and other factors, we see this growing unexplained gap in starting salary. The same gap exists for women in primary care as it does in specialty fields.”
While in the past woman have disproportionately entered primary-care fields, such as internal medicine, geriatrics or pediatrics, the number is on the decline, the study found. In 1999, nearly 50% of women entered primary care; 2008 that had dropped to 30%. But even outside of primary care -- typically the lowest-paying specialty -- female doctors are making are making far less than male physicians. For example, the study found that women heart surgeons earned an average of $27,103 less than men, and females specializing in pulmonary disease earned an average $44,320 less than their male counterparts.
While disparities in physician salaries between men and women is nothing new, the size of the gap continues to grow. The study found a difference in pay of $16,819 in 2008, up from $3,600 in 1999. The survey sampled 4,918 men and 3,315 women.
The study’s lead author Anthony Lo Sasso, a professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, suggested that the pay gap exists because women doctors look for more workplace flexibility, such as not being on call after certain hours. He believes that employers need to reconsider pay and working arrangement for male and female physicians, particularly in primary care.
“It is not surprising to say that women physicians make less than male physicians because women traditionally choose lower-paying jobs in primary care fields or they choose to work fewer hours,” Lo Sasso told the Journal. “What is surprising is that even when we account for specialty and hours and other factors, we see this growing unexplained gap in starting salary. The same gap exists for women in primary care as it does in specialty fields.”
While in the past woman have disproportionately entered primary-care fields, such as internal medicine, geriatrics or pediatrics, the number is on the decline, the study found. In 1999, nearly 50% of women entered primary care; 2008 that had dropped to 30%. But even outside of primary care -- typically the lowest-paying specialty -- female doctors are making are making far less than male physicians. For example, the study found that women heart surgeons earned an average of $27,103 less than men, and females specializing in pulmonary disease earned an average $44,320 less than their male counterparts.
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DrBob
I think that these types of articles, including this one in particular, are disingenuous. I am a medical director in a large group practice. People who choose to add on more work early, late, over lunch; people who actively are open to same day adds, people who probably should be home spending more time with their familes---make more money. Male or Female. To pretend that this is gender-based bias, alarming, surprising, etc. is vapid.
February 4, 2011 - [ 16:38:53 ]
Dr Sandra
You are so correct Bob. Female doctors make these choices because they value time and family. After all, it's not like a male doctor would step up to the plate and do his fair share (50%) of all the house duties, including taking care of the kids. It's not like partners of female doctors, physicians or not, view their doctor wife as someone who can work evenings and nights!!! Disingenuous? Wow!!! Dr Roberta would most likely not agree with you Dr Bob!
February 4, 2011 - [ 16:50:08 ]
Dr Sandra
You are so correct Bob. Female doctors make these choices because they value time and family. After all, it's not like a male doctor would step up to the plate and do his fair share (50%) of all the house duties, including taking care of the kids. It's not like partners of female doctors, physicians or not, view their doctor wife as someone who can work evenings and nights!!! Disingenuous? Wow!!! Dr Roberta would most likely not agree with you Dr Bob!
February 4, 2011 - [ 16:50:08 ]
Dr Sandra
You are so correct Bob. Female doctors make these choices because they value time and family. After all, it's not like a male doctor would step up to the plate and do his fair share (50%) of all the house duties, including taking care of the kids. It's not like partners of female doctors, physicians or not, view their doctor wife as someone who can work evenings and nights!!! Disingenuous? Wow!!! Dr Roberta would most likely not agree with you Dr Bob!
February 4, 2011 - [ 16:50:12 ]
dr john
i would be more helpful if there are a stusties that compare the productivities of these new physician.
February 4, 2011 - [ 17:07:40 ]
dr john
i would be more helpful if there are a stusties that compare the productivities of these new physician.
February 4, 2011 - [ 17:07:44 ]
Anonymous
Were volume of patients seen and charges considered?
February 4, 2011 - [ 18:24:25 ]
drrich
This is a *worthless article* perpetuating myths from the 20th century. Woman and men are different and any inequity in pay is a result of that difference. (Hours worked, number of pts seen during those hours, coding, number of procedures, submission of charges, etc) Show me a different starting salary for the same position and I'll show you a lawyer.
February 4, 2011 - [ 18:42:29 ]
Dr John
This article, along with the comments, are just plain ridiculous and sexist. Both women and men now have choices in both their professional and personal lives. Perpetuating such garbage is irresponsible and offensive.
February 5, 2011 - [ 2:06:37 ]
sierrabearden@earthlink.net
Please docs, note that the various factors you are talking about have been controlled in this study, e.g. hours, specialty. What about looking at the time spent with each patient? I'll bet that it is greater with women than men.
February 6, 2011 - [ 17:39:21 ]
Doc Pete
I would like to place that bet with Sierra. As a residency director in an Ob/Gyn program, I have found that the women spend less time with their patients than their male counterparts.
February 7, 2011 - [ 7:07:00 ]
cynfis
The pay gap has been confirmed in otolaryngology despite similar call schedules and hours.Family choices have little to do with it there! Disconcerting.
February 7, 2011 - [ 9:10:31 ]
Dr. Ron
I think it's very sexist of Dr. Sandra to say that males don't participate in household duties and take care of their kids. Maybe you're just married (or dating) to the wrong guy. I took my daughter with me to the day care at the hospital every day until she was 5 years old and took her to school every day after that until she started to drive herself her senior year. I'm offended by her comments.
February 7, 2011 - [ 16:38:05 ]
DrC
I must agree with Dr. Sandra. I am an internist who is married ( and recently separated ) from a surgeon for this reason. There are many male physicians who contribute 50% of household management and childcare, but it is my experience with my colleagues that they are much less than 50% of dual physician couples. My husband owns a 2 seater sports car (and no alternative until our separation). He was obviously not doing his share of childcare. This is,unfortunately all too common. It is a cultural rift that causes many female physicians a tremendous amount of personal and professional stress.
February 7, 2011 - [ 16:54:03 ]
Dr C also
I am a man, my wife doesn't work, she has the new 911 while I got the sedan when we adopted and I do at least 50% around the house. I do different (mainly outside and house upkeep) and spend time with the kids after I get home.
Maybe I am different but if a marriage isn't a partnership it won't work.
I have found in 15 years of practice that insurance doesn't ask my sex when they reimburse. That's why I have an NPI number. You think there may be other variables? Less patient encounters, less aggressive to procedures? I know many women who far outpace the men. They also bill more than the men. There is a linear correlation working...
Maybe I am different but if a marriage isn't a partnership it won't work.
I have found in 15 years of practice that insurance doesn't ask my sex when they reimburse. That's why I have an NPI number. You think there may be other variables? Less patient encounters, less aggressive to procedures? I know many women who far outpace the men. They also bill more than the men. There is a linear correlation working...
February 7, 2011 - [ 17:26:40 ]
Anonymous
Women are more likely going to take time away from the practice to have a family, be pregnant, or to be a mother. as you are trying to build a practice this is not seen as beneficial, especially when dealing with a call schedule. This is primarily the reason for the difference in the increased demand for male physicians. This is definitely a concern in our practice.
February 7, 2011 - [ 22:02:32 ]
Dr
I work for a large HMO. The pay is based on specialty and hours worked. No sex difference. The men out earn the women. They work more. The women choose more family time. I seriously doubt that the study could "control" for hours worked in a private practice setting as it is likely based on personal estimates. Further I would suspect that certain hours (ie nights, holidays) are paid more just to entice people to do it.
As for the home front, women do more even if both partners work full time. My wife stays home. she does the lion's share no matter how much I do when I get home.
As for the home front, women do more even if both partners work full time. My wife stays home. she does the lion's share no matter how much I do when I get home.
February 8, 2011 - [ 11:04:48 ]
Dr Joan
Statistically woman outnumer men in medical school currently. When one looks at salaries for post graduate work, look at the statistics when they were back in school. One can work smart vs just working and just the compensation. If you are salaried whatever you make you are subject to a short notice of termination, non compete clause and medical suicide of a sort. Believe me sex is not the only discrimination. This is a small survey and does not state the variables. My brother quit medicine at age 50 by choice. Women do not work less hours or less than males necessarily. It depends on the individual. Males usually die younger so figure that in also.
February 16, 2011 - [ 14:12:56 ]
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