Conclusions

Abstract

Women physicians are an increasing proportion of the profession. Attitudes are changing, and there is considerable improvement in the place and role of women in medicine. Women physicians are happy in their careers and lives and thus are successful on their own terms, although they do hold far fewer positions of power, make less money, and advance in academic careers more slowly than men—all traditional (male) indicators of success. Although women comprise close to half of medical students, it will be many years before the physician population is half women. The increasing numbers, however, should help junior women find role models and like-minded supporters with whom to share experiences and gain insight.