SEX-DIFFERENCES IN RANK ATTAINMENT AMONG PSYCHIATRISTS AND ATTITUDES OF CLINIC DIRECTORS TOWARDS FEMALE AND MALE PSYCHIATRISTS

Data from a survey distributed to all directors of psychiatric hospita ls in Germany (n = 286) were used to examine sex differences in rank a ttainment among psychiatrists. Furthermore the directors were asked to assess differences between male and female psychiatrists concerning t heir professional activities. A total of 207 directors responded, 10 o f them were female. In the rank of assistent doctors male psychiatrist s predominated only at the university departments (61%). The position of a registrar was held mainly by male doctors in all types of hospita ls: 78% at the university departments, 64% at psychiatric hospitals an d 56% at psychiatric departments at general hospitals. 43.9% of the re sponders assessed women less interested in a professional career than men, 46.5% thought that women are more interested in treatment than in research activities, 43.5% admitted that in case of female applicants their private situation (family, children) is more important for the decision to give a job than in case of male ones. 87% of the directors found that a higher number of women within their teams is very import ant for a good work climate.