MDNews - Minnesota

++ + ETHICS+ ++++++++++++++ ++ + BITTER PILL: Physicians’ Pay Gap Widening AT A GLANCE, DIFFERENCES IN PHYSICIAN PAY BASED ON GENDER HAVE BEEN EXPLAINED BY WOMEN’S PROPENSITY TO CHOOSE LOWER-PAYING SPECIALTIES, TAKE SALARIED POSITIONS OR JOIN PRACTICES THAT OFFER GREATER FLEXIBILITY FOR TIME OFF. ADJUSTING FOR THESE VARIABLES, RESEARCHERS HAVE FOUND NEWLY TRAINED FEMALE PHYSICIANS ARE PAID AN AVERAGE OF $16,819 LESS THAN THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS. in New York state and entered patient care settings from 1999 to 2008 found compensation was not equal for male and female physicians. While starting salaries for female physicians increased from $151,600 in 1999 to $174,000 in 2008, these results showed new male physicians salaries grew from $173,400 in 1999 to $209,300 in 2008. Unadjusted numbers showed gaps A NEW STUDY OF survey data from approximately 8,000 physicians who left fellow- ship and residency programs in every specialty, ranging from a 6% disparity in emergency medicine and family practice to an 11% gap between male and female cardiologists’ salaries. Adjusting for variables such as practice setting, specialty choice and work hours, a gender gap persisted, totaling $3,600 in 1999 and widening further to $16,819 in 2008. Workforce to Be Reckoned With In the past three decades, female physicians have grown in number from 8% to 25% of working physicians. Comprising half the medical students today, women are expected to equal men in the workforce in two decades. According to the American Medical Association, 2004 data showed female physicians ages 34 and younger out- numbered male colleagues two to one and led in the 35 to 44 age group 33% to 23%. Obstetrics and gynecology and pediatrics lead female physicians’ top choice of specialties, numbering 52% and 41% of physicians, while orthopedics and urology attract the least at 4% and 5%, respectively. See Page 21 ++++++++++++++ + MDNEWS.COM  MD NEWS Twin Cities | 19

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