Changing profile of Oklahoma physicians since 1928

Physician characteristics and preferences continue to change. Between 1970 and 1999, the physician population more then doubled nationwide and the proportion of female MDs increased from 7.7% to 23.4%. This study examines the changing profile of Oklahoma physicians since 1928. Data on 14,314 MDs licensed by the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision between 1928 and 2001 were analyzed, and summary statistics on age, gender, race, specialty and board certification are reported by ten-year intervals. On average, Oklahoma physician are getting older. While the mean age in the 60s was 35 years, by the end of the last decade it had risen to 52. The number of women MDs started to increase in the 70s and has more then tripled in the last 30 years. The same pattern of growth has been witnessed for non-white physicians and international medical graduates (IMGs), who were practically non-existent before 1960. The proportion of board certified physicians has steadily increased, reaching the current level of 66%. Due to the increasing participation of females, non-whites and IMGs, the profile of the Oklahoma physician has radically changed during the last 70 years.