Female physicians in Mexico: migration and mobility in the lifecourse

Area of Science:

• Sociology of Health and Medicine
• Medical Workforce Studies
• Gender Studies in Healthcare

Background:

• Growing feminization of the Mexican health workforce, with women comprising 30% of physicians.
• Limited research on professional women in healthcare in developing nations.
• Recognized uneven spatial distribution of physicians in Mexico, with unknown factors for female physicians.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the migration and mobility patterns of female physicians throughout their lifecourse in provincial Mexico.
• To identify factors influencing female physician migration during childhood, training, and career development.
• To understand the impact of female physician mobility on the Mexican health service.

Main Methods:

• Ten months of fieldwork in Mexico.
• Primary data collection through interviews with a sample of physicians across five states.
• Physician diaries detailing daily, weekly, and monthly activities for three months.
• Analysis of secondary data from health employment records, medical school statistics, and census data.

Main Results:

• Female physicians in provincial Mexico exhibit limited mobility.
• Key factors constraining mobility include educational opportunities, gender norms, institutional structures, and family/household obligations.
• These constraints significantly influence the distribution and potential migration of female physicians.

Conclusions:

• Female physician mobility in provincial Mexico is significantly restricted by a complex interplay of personal, social, and institutional factors.
• Addressing these constraints is essential for effective health workforce planning and ensuring equitable physician distribution.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the implications for the Mexican health service.