Women physicians during residency years: workload, work satisfaction and self concept

Fifteen women pediatric residents, 15 non-medical women academicians similar in age and marital status and 15 women pediatricians at least 10 years past residency were surveyed. Subjects were asked to estimate the amount of time they devote to their professional work, domestic work and the degree to which they feel overworked. Subjects were also questioned regarding their perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages of their life-style and their self-concept as a women and as a professional. The results of this study show that residents, who work significantly more hours per week, have a significantly lower level of work satisfaction than do women in the other two groups. It also suggests the fact that the stress of the residency years affects not only the residents' work satisfaction but their entire self-concept as well. The paper offers possible suggestions the medical profession can take in order to help physicians better cope with their professional stress.