Career patterns of female and male graduates of a psychiatric residency program

The authors surveyed 122 recent graduates of the Massachusetts Mental Health Center to determine whether previously reported differences in career patterns between the sexes persist in younger psychiatrists. Some of the findings are consistent with previous studies, e.g., women work fewer hours than men, take more time off for child rearing, and are less often Board certified. However, women surveyed were not underpaid compared with men, and men showed a growing awareness of the conflicting demands of career and family. The significance of these findings and their implications are discussed.