In their survey of medical students, residents and physician teachers at the University of Saskatchewan, Bibiana Cujec and colleagues found that women at all levels were more likely than men to be single, to be childless and to discourage their peers from becoming parents.
Female physician teachers spent approximately the same amount of time at work as their male counterparts (52 v. 58 hours) but spent twice as many hours per week on family and household chores (36 v. 14 hours)
The authors also report that trainees are less satisfied with their careers and level of family involvement compared with doctors in practice. Due to the demands of medical training, the study suggests that the optimal time for parenthood is after training has been completed. This carries repercussions for the health care system, because the number of women physicians continues to increase.
In a related editorial, Dr. Susan Phillips comments on how solutions to juggling home and career are both obvious and elusive. She recommends that the trend toward an ever-expanding work week end, and be replaced by more flexible workplaces that can accommodate time required for parenting.
Canadian Medical Association Journal