engleski

Gender differences in views and expectations from having PhD degree in biomedicine and health sciences at Zagreb University School of Medicine: women seek better jobs, men expect to earn more money

Background: The number of all university diplomas and PhD degrees earned by women showed slope increasing trend during last 30 years in Croatia, while the corresponding numbers for men are stable. The same pattern was observed if only diplomas and PhDs in field of biomedicine and health sciences were considered. Objectives: PhD programme in biomedicine and health sciences at Zagreb University Medical School is organized in line with Bologna process as a third cycle programme open to both, medical doctors and other professionals in field of biomedicine and health sciences. Two generations (2005 and 2006) of PhD programme applicants, 169 male and 271 female, answered questionnaire that includes questions asked them to express their views on (i) efforts and time necessary to devote for obtaining PhD degree (ii) different opportunities being given to professionals with PhD degree in their field of work. Results: Distribution of expected time (number of years) needed to complete PhD was shifted to higher values for women compared to men (mod was four vs. three). According to male and female applicants, respectively, PhD owners have better prospects of: professional development/promotion (88.5% and 88.9%) ; getting leading/managing posts (74.2% and 72.8%) ; to be respected from colleagues (60.9% and 64.0%) ; to travel (54.6% and 58.4%) ; to be respected from general society (47.3% and 55.7%). All these differences were not statistically significant at p=0.05, while differences in proportions of positive answers to three remaining questions were statistically significant: to earn more money (67.3% vs. 52.1%, p=0.002) ; to find better jobs (48.7% vs. 66.8%, p<0.001) ; to find a job abroad (67.1% vs. 76.5%, p=0.045). Conclusion: Observed gender differences in applicants’ views mirror their expectations and motivation for PhD programme: to earn more money vs. chances to get better job after more demanding work on PhD for men and women, respectively.

education; PhD programme; gender difference

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