Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: The balance between career and family life of women doctors is a topic of research worldwide. This relation has a significant impact on both work and family obligations. Aims &
Objective: To determine the reported effect of career on family life and vice versa among Saudi female physicians. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted included all Saudi women doctors who ever married and in current clinical practice at KAMC, Riyadh, between 1 January and 28 February 2013. A self-administrated questionnaire has been used for data collection containing: demographic data, impact of career on family life, common obstacles and suggested solution. Pearson’s chi-square was used to analyze the relationship between variables.
Results: The study included 174 Saudi female doctors. More than half of them (56.3%) reported discrimination from colleagues because of their marital status. Seventy-five Saudi female physicians (43.1%) were unsatisfied in balancing their career and family life. More than half of the participants (51.7%) thought their work has a negative impact on their relationship with their spouses/children. Type of job (on call status) was significantly associated with difficulty in transportation to the hospital (p=0.006). Providing childcare in medical centers (79.9%) and more days off for maternity leave (75.3%) were most reported solutions suggested. Conclusion: Poor satisfaction of Saudi female physicians in balancing career and family life is a common problem among those working in KAMC.