Characteristics of Women Pediatricians

To contrast women pediatricians (n = 807) with other U.S. women physicians, we used data from the Women Physicians' Health Study, a national, randomly sampled questionnaire survey (total n = 4,501). Compared with other women physicians, women pediatricians worked less and reported lower incomes but also reported less work stress and less career dissatisfaction. Pediatricians were less likely to counsel/perform screening regarding cholesterol, HIV, smoking, and alcohol but more likely regarding skin cancer or sunscreen use, nutrition, and weight. Given current emphases on trying to improve U.S. children's health practices, these findings are of concern.