Medical education for women: how good an investment?

Reluctance to train women for medical careers has been justified by the failure of women to use their education. Using data from studies of physician practice patterns and of educational costs, this article presents a preliminary estimate of the "loss" of investment involved in educating women for medicine. Women physicians are estimated to practice an average of two-fifths fewer hours over their lifetimes than do men, with a consequent loss of educational investment of about $55,000. Suggestions are made for reducing this loss. The finding of some loss of investment should not be used as an argument for discriminatory treatment of women seeking a medical education, as the rights of women as individuals must be recognized.