Dear Editor,
Data from the year 2011 on more than 370,000 practicing physicians in Brazil reveal that female physicians account for approximately 20% of those aged 60 years or more and about 50% (≤ 29 years = 53.3% - the majority!) in the age range younger than 40 years1. Regarding Cardiology, in 2008 women represented 27.3% of those approved by the Examination Board to obtain the title of Specialist by SBC, of which percentage increased to 35.4% in 2012.
The increasing feminization of medical practice, on the one hand, helps to establish the confidence in female doctors, recalling that they did not have the trust of most of the Brazilian population 40 years ago. On the other hand, it brings about new provisions on being a Brazilian physician2, regarding the distribution of the number of hours between the professional activity (part-time work among women has been expanding in the U.S. since 20053) and women's view about themselves, family and home life.
References
- 1.Azevedo R., Junior . Demografia médica. PROSUS SUL SUDESTE; Junho. 2012. [Citado em 2013 mar 26]. Disponível em http://www.cremesp.org.br/pps/eventos/PROPUS%20SUL%20SUDESTE%202012.pptx. [Google Scholar]
- 2.Grinberg M. O cardiologista brasileiro em formação: diretriz e liberdade. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2009;92(1):e4–e5. doi: 10.1590/s0066-782x2009000100014. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 3.Belkin L. Should women be doctors? New York Times, New York. [Cited on 2013 mar 26]. Available from: http://www.parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/13/should-women-be-doctors/