[Physicians' own control of their working situation--a myth?].

The idea that physicians have more autonomy than others in regard to their work does not match the physicians' own experience. In 1993, Norwegian physicians experienced less control over their own work than other professionals and employees in Norwegian society did. However, large variations exist between groups of physicians. Hospital doctors report less autonomy than other physicians do. Among specialists, surgeons report the lowest degree of job control. Female physicians report having less autonomy than their male colleagues, regardless of where or with what they work. Job control increases with age, both for female and for male physicians.