Female doctors in the UK now outweigh their male peers, with more medics from ethnic minority backgrounds than white people, new figures show.
Both major changes in the UK's composition of nearly 330,000 strong health workers have been outlined in an analysis published Thursday by the General Health Council (GMC), which regulates the profession.
Given the traditional male domination of the occupation, the number of medications that exceeded the number of men for the first time was welcomed as a “milestone.” This shift should make it easier for female patients to be seen and treated by doctors of their gender.
GMC figures show that 164,440 female doctors have been authorized to practice medicine in their four homelands. In other words, women account for a small majority (50.04%) of the country's doctors and men.
This represents a surprising change from the situation that existed in 1858, when the UK's first medical register was created. Included Only one female doctor – Elizabeth Blackwell from the US – because they didn't have the required degree to include British women in the country.
“Medicine has historically been a male-dominated profession. In order to acquire their rightful place in it, women endure prejudice, harassment, low wages, and often make great sacrifices in the lives of mothers and families,” said Dr. Claudia Paoloni, a consultant anesthesiologist and vice-president of the Association of Hospital Consultants and Specialists (HCSA).
“This is an important milestone,” said Professor Dame Carrie Macewen, GMC Chairman, consultant ophthalmologist. “The demographics of healthcare workers are changing rapidly, and their diversity will benefit patients,” she added, referring to the fact that 50.7% of the UK population is women.
First British female doctor, Elizabeth Garrett Andersondid not participate in the Medical Register until 1865. Consultations with Blackwell convince Medic and Sufragett, who breaks the mold, to overcome opposition from within the profession and become a doctor.
Registered staff refused to acknowledge her degree. The woman was finally eligible to participate in the profession in 1876.
Female doctors outperform male doctors by the widest margins, accounting for 63% of obstetrics and gynecology, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics (61%) and general practice (58%). However, they are a minority of surgical procedures (17%), ophthalmology (35%), and emergency care (37%).
The leading female doctor warned that despite dramatic advances over time, Medic, a female, still faced challenges with career progression, including unequal wages, sexual harassment, lack of childcare and inability to work flexibly when children are present.
“The key now is to stand up to the ongoing sexual harassment seen in the NHS. We need to ultimately address gender pay gaps through aggressive measures, rather than waiting for the continuous decline in men's numbers to leave the arena. And we need measures to help women rationally balance their family life in addition to their careers,” Paoloni said.
A HCSA study found that four in five female doctors experienced sexual harassment, primarily committed by their colleagues. For example, we found out that we received comments about appearance, attire, body, or unnecessary physically touching or sexual stories or jokes.
GMC first reported in November that the UK had it More ethnic minority doctors than white people. The number of people from ethnic minorities increased by 78% between 2016 and 2023. It's almost eight times the 10% increase in white doctors.
In the years since the UK voted to leave the EU in June 2016, the number of doctors working in the UK has increased dramatically from India, Pakistan, Egypt and Nigeria.
Dr. Latifah Patel, chairman of the British Medical Association's representative organization, said the occupation and the NHS need to understand why few women enter certain fields such as surgery.
“These disparities are not acceptable for career progression or patient care, as all patients should benefit from male physicians and male skills and expertise.”
