RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 How gender shapes practice choices among family medicine residents and early career family physicians: a Canadian qualitative study
JF BJGP Open
JO BJGP Open
FD Royal College of General Practitioners
SP BJGPO.2024.0158
DO 10.3399/BJGPO.2024.0158
VO 9
IS 3
A1 Sheppard, Anneka
A1 Gormley, Amanda
A1 Mills, Lauren
A1 McKay, Madeleine
A1 Bergin, Fiona
A1 Gradstein, Roetka
A1 Moravac, Catherine
A1 Scott, Ian
A1 Lavergne, M Ruth
YR 2025
UL http://bjgpopen.org/content/9/3/BJGPO.2024.0158.abstract
AB Background The practice choices of family medicine residents and early career family physicians shape access to primary care. A growing proportion of family physicians are women.Aim To examine how gender operates in shaping family physician practice choices and subsequent practice patterns.Design & setting Qualitative interview data were analysed. Family medicine residents and early career family physicians from three Canadian provinces (Nova Scotia, Ontario, and British Columbia) participated in interviews.Method Qualitative interview data were collected as part of a larger mixed-methods study. Eighty-eight interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded into several node reports, including one on gender. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes related to how gender impacts physician practice choices.Results Many participants described multiple intersecting pathways through which it was apparent that gender shaped their career and practice choices. Others did not identify the impact of gender in this regard. Parenthood and caregiving were commonly discussed, as were clinical interests specific to women’s health; however, gendered expectations of patients and colleagues were also seen to shape choices. In this way, gender shaped choices directly, but also indirectly in response to gendered experiences and expectations.Conclusion Findings support the need for structural reforms including: increased availability of collaborative team-based models, flexible work schedules, closure of gendered wage gaps, and integration of gender awareness training through academic and healthcare institutions. Consideration of how primary care policies differentially impact across clinician gender is key to future planning to support a changing workforce that meets patient needs.