Shortage of physicians, leave of absence because of pregnancy and child care. a survey of physicians 1993
Eskeland, M.; Knutsen, S.F.; Forsdahl, A.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 117(4): 520-523
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 9148452 Document Number: 482931
The shortage of physicians is still a problem in Norway. In 1992, 344 (3.1%) physician full time equivalents (FTE) were "lost" because of family leave. Maternity leave averaged 34.7 weeks. 26% of the physicians who became a father in 1992 took an average of three weeks paternity leave. Leaves related to other family responsibilities seem to be increasing among male physicians. Our estimates show that interruption of career, along with female physicians who choose to work shorter hours, will represent a discount of 452 (3.3%) physician FTEs in year 2002. If Norwegian physicians increase their leaves of absence in line with the possibilities provided by government regulations, this number will be even larger (4.5%). Changes in the pattern of career interruption should be considered when projecting the supply of physicians.