title: Male students in the health sciences: a comparison with female health science students and male university students.
abstract: Increasing numbers of males are entering the health sciences, particularly Physiotherapy. Fifteen males commencing such courses were compared with 252 female students and 30 male university students. Their backgrounds, career aspirations and attitudes were investigated in an attempt to explain their career choices and consider possible future effects on the health professions. Male health science students were older, came from large families of lower socio-economic status and were more likely to aspire to leadership positions than female students. None of the characteristics of females who enter male-dominated occupations were found to distinguish males making atypical career choices. It is suggested that the findings have implications for the future of Physiotherapy, particularly in regard to leadership positions.
authors.affiliation: Cumberland College of Health Sciences.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Westbrook
authors.affiliation: Cumberland College of Health Sciences.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Nordholm
authors.affiliation: University of Wollongong.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Walker