Gender and variation in activity rates of hospital consultants

Abstract

Objective: To explore whether or not gender predicts consultant activity rates. Design: Using data from the Hospital Episode Statistics for England 2004/2005, we explored inpatient activity rates of male and female hospital consultants, with and without adjustment for case-mix differences. As a sensitivity analysis we also explored outpatient attendances for male and female hospital consultants. Setting: Data from the Hospital Episode Statistics for England. Main outcome measures: Finished consultant episodes per year, with and without adjustment for case-mix differences, age and gender of consultant, contract held, hospital trust, specialty of practice, and clinical excellence awards, discretionary points and distinction awards. Results: Including only consultants on full-time or maximum part-time contracts, men have significantly higher activity rates than women, after accounting for age, specialty and hospital trust. Conclusions: The reasons for the different activity rates of male and female consultatns are unclear, but the implications of these results for the planning of the medical workforce are important.