General practice and the unconscious gender bias

Unconscious gender bias remains a significant barrier to women’s careers all over the world, and the healthcare sector is no exception. Although general practice is certainly ahead of many medical specialties — in offering the flexibility and opportunity for women to have a successful career, be a practice owner and juggle family commitments — there is still room to improve. Women in general practice typically earn less than their male counterparts and are less likely to own a general practice clinic.

There could be a host of reasons why this might be the case. A lower income could be due to a combination of factors such as female GPs being more likely to see mental health patients and more likely to have longer consultations. The Medicare rebate per minute decreases for every consultation longer than six minutes. This disadvantages women who often require long consultations and the doctors who provide them.

With regards to the under-representation of women in GP ownership, it is likely a mix of perception and confidence. Many women undersell their abilities and skills and are reluctant to self-promote. Learning to take a leap and ‘back yourself’ is crucial to overcoming this.

The perception of GP ownership is often very negative. In fact, I never thought that I wanted to own a practice as I didn’t believe it was possible to combine the duties of running a practice with working as a GP and having children. Fortunately, I did most of my registrar training with an amazing female GP who showed me that it was possible to do all three — and much more! I was also lucky to have contact with other female GPs who showed it could be done and spoke about the challenges but also the advantages; current RACGP President Dr Karen Price being one of many.

Of course, striking a healthy work-life balance while prioritising your wellbeing is a constant challenge and certainly not a one-size-fits-all. The best strategy for me has been remaining flexible, focusing on what I can control and what is important to me. And also knowing that the strategies that worked for me without children won’t work with a young family, will be different again as my children get older, and change at each stage of life. The most important part is having a supportive ‘team’ around you. I, for one, wouldn’t be able to do what I do without my incredibly supportive husband or my phenomenal co-owner Dr Kristin McLaughlin.

My advice to aspiring and upcoming female GPs and GP owners is to remain open to all opportunities and don’t be afraid to take the leap!

Amidst the gender bias and discrimination that may prevail, it is important to have the confidence to realise that the problem lies not with you, but in the other person’s attitude. Avoid the nay-sayers and find a supportive group of clinicians and business owners that will both encourage and challenge you throughout your journey.

In my experience, being a general practitioner and, more importantly, a practice owner has been truly rewarding. I love the diversity of clinical encounters as well as the opportunity to share in a journey of care with the patient and their family — often across generations. As for practice ownership… I couldn’t have predicted it 7 years ago. But now I love it and wonder why I ever thought I couldn’t do it!

This International Women’s Month, let’s pledge to #BreakTheBias.

*Dr Emily Carroll is a General Practitioner based in Glenelg, SA. She is the co-owner of Pear Tree Family Practice — a GP-owned, independent healthcare practice, and a Business Coach at Scale My Clinic — a business coaching service exclusively dedicated for private GP owners.

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