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A recent survey reveals that female doctors in Vienna continue to face significant challenges in their careers compared to their male counterparts.
According to the survey, presented Monday and commissioned by the Vienna Medical Chamber, 64 percent of female physicians reported experiencing disadvantages throughout their careers. Many also experience devaluation and distrust of their competence – from both patients and male colleagues.
satisfaction with career development among Vienna’s female doctors is high, with three-quarters reporting they are content. However, satisfaction is considerably higher among self-employed doctors (88 percent) than among employed doctors (69 percent), according to the online survey conducted by pollster Peter Hajek, which included participation from 1,409 of the approximately 8,000 female doctors in Vienna.
Family Planning Identified as Major Career Obstacle
The survey found that family planning and childcare are considered the biggest career obstacles by a majority (52 percent) of respondents. A significant 93 percent believe that motherhood creates structural disadvantages for female doctors. The second most frequently cited obstacle is a lack of support from supervisors.
Female doctors often encounter sexism in their daily work lives. The survey revealed that 59 percent of female physicians regularly experience devaluation, not only from patients (60 percent) but also from colleagues and supervisors (59 percent). More than half (54 percent) reported unwanted suggestive remarks from supervisors, 27 percent reported unwanted physical contact, and 4 percent experienced sexual assault by supervisors. Distrust of their competence is also common, particularly from patients (62 percent) but also from supervisors (44 percent).
Medical Chamber Points to Societal Issue
Vienna Medical Chamber President Johannes Steinhart described the findings as a societal problem that extends beyond the medical field, as he explained at a press conference. Steinhart believes that political action is needed to address the issue. The Medical Chamber is calling for greater flexibility in working hours to improve work-life balance.
Doctors in private practice would like more flexible regulations for contracted practices – such as flexible opening hours, job-sharing models, greater promotion of group practices, and improved coverage arrangements, according to Chamber Vice President and Chair of the Private Practice Doctors’ Section Naghme Kamaleyan-Schmied. The introduction of maternity protection for doctors with contracts is also urgently needed.
In hospitals, targeted support programs specifically for women and more family-friendly working conditions with flexible hours, part-time options, and more on-site childcare are needed, said Eduardo Maldonado-González, Chairman of the Employed Doctors’ Section and also Chamber Vice President. He also appealed for the courage of men to intervene when doctors experience dismissive or suggestive comments.
