Science / Medicine : Diapers Put Damper on Careers

Women doctors on medical school faculties often feel held back by the responsibilities of raising children, although most are happy with their careers, according to a survey.

Women make up 19% of medical school faculties nationwide--up from 13% two decades ago--although they have been slow to crack the top ranks of the academic world.

A survey of 558 of these women, all under age 50, found that nearly two-thirds had children. About half of those had delayed starting families until they were in their early 30s and had finished medical training.

Although the majority said they were satisfied with their careers and the decision to have children, 78% felt that their families had slowed their job advancement.

“We believe that it is possible for women to combine motherhood with a fulfilling career in academic medicine, but it is difficult, and most such women believe that motherhood slows the progress of their careers,” the researchers wrote.

The survey was conducted by Drs. Wendy Levinson and Susan W. Tolle of Oregon Health Sciences University and Charles Lewis of UCLA. The results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.