Special provisions for women doctors to train and practise in medicine after graduation: a report of a survey

Abstract

The findings of a survey of 3262 women doctors registered between 1945 and 1974 are reported. The results are based on 2433 returned questionnaires (75% response). The survey confirmed that the special forms of assistance provided to enable women doctors to continue training and to work after graduation are inadequate. Although the Women Doctors' Retainer Scheme and part-time training schemes are suited to women's needs, they are insufficiently publicized, inflexibly administered and limited in availability. The need for a counselling service for women doctors is not met. Facilities for child care on NHS premises are very deficient. With more substantial provision of all these forms of assistance to women doctors, the scope and extent of their contribution to medicine could be increased. The Medical Register is an unreliable means of ascertaining the numbers and whereabouts of women who may require this special assistance. The main problem now is not a lack of ideas about suitable provision for women doctors, but the implementation by the relevant authorities of the proposals already made, to enable both women doctors themselves and the NHS to benefit.

A systematic review of strategies to recruit and retain primary care doctors

“… Retainer fee of £290 + salary The practice receive a fee of £40.50 per session Length of membership 1–17 years Former members who responded n = 104 • 76/104 (73 %) had left the scheme within 4 years • 31/104 (29 %) were GP principals/partners • 5/104 (4 %) were unemployed. • 33/104 (32 %) stated it prevented them from leaving medicine Of current members n = 152 • 69/152 (46 %) stated the scheme prevented them from leaving medicine 37 Special provisions for women doctors to train and practice medicine after graduation: a report of a survey Beaumont (1979) [ 63 ] UK Review of the women’s doctors retainer scheme in Sheffield region 1972–1973 Eskin (1974) [ 64 ] UK Cross sectional non comparative n = 2433 Cross sectional non comparative n = 14 UK Women’s Doctors retainer scheme (1973–1976) for female doctors in hospital medicine, GP or that work in the local authority health service aged under 55; who are unemployed (or work ≤2 sessions per week) Terms: As above and membership with a medical defence organisation £ 50 retainer fee • 36/2433 (1.5 %) of respondents had been a member of the retainer scheme and 91 % of them were currently working; 5 (14 %) in full time posts Evaluation 2:14 doctors on the scheme • 10/14 (71 %) of these subsequently employed in the Sheffield region; (hospital doctors + GPs) Re-entry scheme 38 Putting principals back into practice: an evaluation of a re-entry course for vocationally trained doctors Baker et al (1997) [ 67 ] UK Longitudinal follow up comparative between groups n = 14 Re-entry course (3 day course March 1996) developed to help doctors to return to general practice. Rebuilding confidence and needs based.…”

“…Four studies, without a comparison group, assessed retainer schemes in the UK, including the Women’s Doctors Retainer Scheme [ 63 , 64 ], the GP retainer scheme [ 65 ] and the Doctors’ retainer scheme [ 66 ]. Retainer schemes allow primary care doctors to work reduced hours (a maximum of four sessions a week, a minimum of one) with an educational component, for up to five years.…”

“…Participants from a retainer scheme in Scotland reported that the scheme prevented them leaving medicine (32 % of former members (33/104) and 46 % of current members (69/152) [ 66 ]. All studies showed high retention of primary care doctors from retainer schemes (86 % (91/105) [ 65 ], 91 % (33/36) [ 63 ] and 71 % (10/14) [ 64 ] but the lack of a comparator group made it difficult to draw conclusions about the effect of the scheme.…”