Practice profiles, procedures, and personal rewards according to the sex of the physician.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to explore physician and practice characteristics according to sex.


METHODS
All graduates of a southeastern state's family practice residency programs were surveyed.


RESULTS
Seven hundred fourteen (53.5%; 79.7% men, 20.3% women) surveys were returned and analyzed. Practice arrangements and practice settings did not differ significantly between the two study groups. Male graduates saw a significantly higher percentage of geriatric patients (28.9% versus 24.7%; P = 0.008) and made significantly more nursing home visits (50.6% versus 35.5%; P = 0.002) and home visits (49.0% versus 33.8%; P = 0.001) than female graduates. With the exception of skin biopsies, a greater percentage of male physicians performed procedures than female physicians. Female graduates and male graduates had the same initial salary but had a significantly different current salary range. No significant differences were seen in personal or career satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Practice patterns of male and female physicians were generally similar. However, significant differences were noted in geriatric care, procedures, and salary.
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008571:Men / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000145:classification* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010822:Physicians, Women / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011216:Practice Management, Medical / Q000145:classification; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011365:Professional Practice Location / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012201:Reward; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D013022:South Carolina; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D016526:Workload