Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026
08:42
Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression
Published on: May 19, 2015
Women in psychiatry
Summary
Women physicians in the UK showed strong participation in psychiatry, with 9% of respondents practicing the specialty. Many achieved career posts, indicating a significant presence in medical careers.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sociology
- History of Medicine
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Examining the career trajectories of women in medicine provides insight into gender participation in various specialties.
- Understanding historical trends in medical specialty choice is crucial for future workforce planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the participation and career progression of women physicians in psychiatry in the UK.
- To compare the career characteristics of women psychiatrists with their contemporaries in other medical fields.
Main Methods:
- A postal questionnaire was sent to women who obtained UK medical qualifications between 1949-1951 (early cohort) and 1965 (late cohort).
- Response rate was 74% of 1863 eligible women.
- Analysis included current practice status, specialty choice, and career post achievement.
Main Results:
- 9% of respondents were practicing psychiatry, with participation rates comparable to other medical branches.
- Women psychiatrists were as likely or more likely to hold career posts (57%) compared to other practitioners (54%).
- Psychiatry was a popular specialty choice, ranking 10th (early) and 6th (late).
Conclusions:
- Women physicians demonstrated significant engagement in psychiatry, with favorable career progression.
- Interest, liking, or aptitude were key drivers for choosing psychiatry, similar to other hospital-based specialties.
- Holding membership in the Royal College of Psychiatrists correlated with higher weekly sessions and career post attainment.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and sudden minutes-long episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. These attacks may feel like heart attacks and often happen without warning or a specific cause. They can include symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and a sense of helplessness. During a panic attack, individuals may feel as though they are experiencing a heart attack or are in a...
01:30Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by significant mood fluctuations, including episodes of mania and depression. Elevated energy levels, heightened mood or irritability, impulsive behavior, reduced sleep needs, rapid speech, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, and distractibility characterize mania. Individuals with bipolar disorder often alternate between depressive and manic states, with periods of emotional stability lasting an average of six months to a year.
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
01:24Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
Treatment approaches for psychological disorders fall into three main categories: psychological, biological, and sociocultural. Each approach targets different aspects of mental health, requiring varying levels of education and training.
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...
01:29Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapies emphasize the exploration of unconscious processes and early childhood experiences as fundamental contributors to psychological difficulties. These therapies, deeply rooted in Freud's psychoanalytic theory, aim to uncover and resolve unconscious conflicts, granting individuals insights that promote emotional and behavioral healing. Contemporary psychodynamic approaches have evolved, integrating a broader range of influences and methodologies while still valuing the...
01:30Psychosurgery
Psychosurgery, the surgical alteration or permanent removal of brain tissue to alleviate severe psychological conditions, stands as one of the most radical and controversial treatments in the history of mental health care. Its development and application have evolved significantly, marked by dramatic shifts in scientific understanding and ethical perspectives.
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...