[Differences in workload for male and female physicians].

BACKGROUND: In this article we describe differences in workload for male and female physicians according to the gender of their patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from the National Insurance Service for the autumn of 2001 (1637 general practitioners) and from a comprehensive questionnaire survey among general practitioners in the autumn of 2002 (2306).

RESULTS: 62 % of the patients of female physicians are women, compared to 47 % of the patients of male physicians. Female physicians have a mean of 200 fewer patients on their lists than have their male colleagues. Female physicians also have a high proportion of women on their list irrespective of the length of their list. Of those with a long patient list (>1800 patients), almost 50 % of the female physicians wanted a shorter list, compared to only 26 % of their male colleagues.

INTERPRETATION: The total workload in terms of length of patient list and gender distribution of patients on the list is not necessarily different for male and female physicians. Female physicians may have chosen to have a shorter patient list in order to compensate for the fact that their patients on average have more consultations and receive more services. On the other hand, male physicians may allow themselves to have a longer patient list because they have patients who on average require less treatment.