Women doctors report lower levels of happiness compared to three years ago. A Medscape survey notes that female physicians have higher rates of burnout and lower job satisfaction than their male counterparts, are paid less, work more, take on more childcare and home responsibilities and are less likely to be promoted. “Creating equality for women physicians will require support from organizations in several areas,” says Shannon Franklin, PsyD, co-founder and director of clinical training at San Diego-based Element Q Healing Center, “including flexibility with schedules, fair opportunities, mentoring, and creating an environment at work where there is no stigma associated with seeking help related to mental health.” Doctors who work in dermatology are the most likely to say they can balance personal happiness with their careers, while general surgeons are the most skeptical.
