[Physicians' working hours].

Data from an extensive survey among Norwegian doctors conducted in 1993 shows that, on average, doctors work 52.8 hours a week. Their work-load thus exceeds that of the average occupationally active Norwegian by about 40%, and that of the average academic by about 25%. Male doctors work significantly more hours per week than female. Doctors in the age groups 35-44 and 45-54 years work significantly more hours than their younger or older colleagues. Certified specialists work more hours than non-specialists. General practitioners, privately practising specialists and hospital doctors all work more hours per week than municipally employed doctors in the primary health service. Female do very much more housework than male doctors do. Measured in terms of the sum of hours of medical work, housework and caring for children and elderly relatives, female doctors work more hours per week than their male colleagues.