Medical workforce becoming increasingly feminised

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The medical workforce is becoming increasingly feminised, the Medical Council 2012 doctor workforce released yesterday shows.

Chairman John Adams said the number of working doctors increased by 2.5 per cent, a smaller yearly increase than the previous two years' surveys.

Men still outnumbered women overall, but the situation was reversed among new doctors, where women outnumbered men.

Men made up 59 per cent of the workforce, but while 45 per cent of female doctors were under 40, only 28 per cent of men were under 40.

Doctors identifying as New Zealand European made up nearly 53 per cent, and were more highly represented among specialists and GPs, and less among house officers and registrars.

Doctors identifying as Maori made up 2.9 per cent, while Pacific Islanders accounted for 1.8 per cent, but there were signs their representation was improving.

The proportion of international medical graduates was 41.4 per cent.

The survey showed Otago had 689 doctors, including 173 GPs.

Forms were sent to 13,947 doctors, which drew a 96 per cent response rate.