[Physicians for ten years: a longitudinal survey of the career development of physicians who began their studies in Groningen, the Netherlands].

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the career development of two cohorts of medical graduates from the University of Groningen, the Netherlands.

DESIGN

Structured interviews.

METHOD

For all 333 graduates who commenced undergraduate medical training in 1982 and 1983, data were collected for the period 1993-2000 with respect to resident training, income, job load, job satisfaction and scientific research. Gender differences were analysed for all of the variables. This was done by means of structured interviews as well as a strategic search in Medline and the on-line public catalogue of the University of Groningen.

RESULTS

In the year 2000, 73% of the graduates had enrolled in resident training, 8% had not succeeded in finding a place. The wish to work part-time had increased strongly over the years. In general, job satisfaction was reasonable. In total 31% of the cohort had published one or more English articles or written a thesis. Gender differences were found for job load and publications.

CONCLUSIONS

Ten years after graduation, medical careers had become established. Men had not succeeded in fulfilling their wishes to work part-time. Women were disadvantaged with respect to their scientific career.