The intersection of race, gender, and primary care: results from the Women Physicians' Health Study.

The Women Physicians' Health Study is a nationally distributed mailed questionnaire survey of a random sample of 4501 female physicians. We examined differences in the professional characteristics and personal health habits of minority women physicians compared to other women physicians, with regard to the choice of primary care specialties, type or location of practice site, and career satisfaction. Most women physicians were self-described as non-Hispanic white (77.4%), with 13% Asians, and few blacks (4.3%) or Hispanics (5.2%). Blacks and Hispanics were more likely to choose primary care specialties (61.6% and 57.9%, respectively, vs. 49.3% of whites, p < 0.05). Black and Hispanic physicians were most likely to practice in urban areas (71.8% and 72.2%, respectively, p < 0.001). Minority physicians were most likely to report spending some time each week on clinical work for which they did not expect compensation. Black physicians were least likely to report high levels of work control and were least likely to be satisfied with their careers. While most physicians were compliant with the examined recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, we did find significant differences by ethnicity in compliance with clinical breast exams, mammograms, and pap smears. In conclusion, there continues to be fewer blacks and Hispanics in the U.S. physician workforce than in the general population. Minority women physicians are more likely to provide primary care services in communities that have been traditionally underserved and may also report higher rates of career dissatisfaction.