The future of female doctors

doi:10.1136/bmj.b2223

Published 3 June 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b2223
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;338:b2223

Editorials

The future of female doctors

Women will have to adapt as they become the majority, and sowill the NHS

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Women will form the majority of doctors in the NHS within 10years. The suggestion by Professor Carol Black that the futureof British medicine might be endangered by this feminisationof the medical workforce generated both media hyperbole andserious debate.¹ ² By raising these issues directly, Prof Blackcrystallised a range of professional concerns and made it legitimateto discuss fears and perspectives that might otherwise havebeen dismissed as politically incorrect, or worse.

Women and medicine: the future, the reports published this weekby the Royal College of Physicians, tackle these issues headon. The summary report³ is based on a major and meticulouslyreferenced study⁴ by Dr Mary Ann Elston that provides a sturdyfoundation for the future work that is recommended. Most readerswill opt to read the shorter version, but the full report containsfascinating new perspectives from other professions and othercountries.

The . . . [Full text of this article]

Graham Winyard, retired postgraduate dean

¹ Winchester, Hampshire SO23 9TE

gwinyard@doctors.org.uk

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