Drop out of women doctors from academic progression: An observation from admission data of Kerala Medical Colleges in 2011.

Praveenlal Kuttichira; Sudhir.P.K; Prasad.A.B; Deepthi Praveenlal Kuttichira

Volume : VIII, Issue : III, March - 2018

Drop out of women doctors from academic progression: An observation from admission data of Kerala Medical Colleges in 2011.

Praveenlal Kuttichira, Sudhir. P. K, Prasad. A. B, Deepthi Praveenlal Kuttichira

Abstract :

Kerala shows women favourable demographic data. Rising feminisation among Kerala medicos was reported recently. Scientific studies on sex representation at various levels of medical education are scanty. This study is first of its kind from Kerala.

Registration details of admitted students to various medical courses conducted by all colleges affiliated to KUHS in 2011 were examined for sex distribution. The sex ratio– number of females per 1000 males–for UG, PG Diploma, Degree and Super–specialities were calculated. The PG students were further grouped as preclinical and clinical; and medical, surgical, Paediatrics or Gynaecology. The data is presented in the table and sex ratio is presented in graphs.

The sex ratio was 2099 for MBBS, 1847 for PG Diploma, 1107 for PG Degree and 139 for PG Super–specialities. Progressive fall in women favourable sex ratio from UG to super–speciality levels observed. It dropped from PG non–clinical to PG clinical subjects, but increased from surgical specialities to Medical specialities; in Paediatrics and sharply in Gynaecology.

Female doctors suffer more gender discrimination than male doctors. They integrate family responsibilities with career, necessitating flexibility of work. Today’s medical profession may be a male–favoured one. Perhaps empowerment of women starts from the lower strata of society and progress up.

Drop out of women lead to lose of potential talent. Alternative work schedules, optimization of maternity leave and child care opportunities are required to support women in medicine. Changes in health care policies are needed to balance between work and home.

This study was based on already available data. More focussed studies with robust methodologies are suggested.