Gender Dynamics in the Health Care Sector: A Growing Majority of Female Workers

The health care sector has long been associated with a predominantly female workforce, a trend that shows no signs of abating. This article explores the gender dynamics within the healthcare sector, with a focus on the increasing numbers of female medical professionals and administrators.

The Shift Towards Female Medical Doctors

According to a NIVEL research study conducted in 2019 in the Netherlands, 58% of medical doctors are women, up significantly from 34% in 2006. This substantial shift is indicative of a growing trend where fewer men are pursuing medical doctor careers, and the numbers continue to decline.

Vocational Nurses and Higher Education Nurses

Similar trends can be observed in vocational nursing and higher education nursing. A study from 2016 found that 89% of vocational nurses were women, and a follow-up 2018 study reported 90% of vocational nurses were women. Additionally, a 2018 study on general nursing (including vocational and higher education nurses) revealed that 90% of all nurses were women.

Registered Nurses with Higher Education

The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) in the Netherlands reported in 2019 that 85% of nurses with higher education were women. It is important to note that this discrepancy is not due to an increase in male nurses, but rather a decrease in the overall number of female nurses.

Factors Contributing to the Decline

The decline in the number of female nurses has been attributed to several factors. One significant factor is pregnancy and pregnancy discrimination, both prevalent in the healthcare industry. Despite the birth rate remaining stable over the last few years, the trend of men returning to the construction industry as breadwinners has been linked to a temporary decrease in female nurses temporarily quitting their careers to have children.

However, there is also a permanent decline in numbers, where some nurses become freelance and do not renew their BIG registration. This results in a decrease in the overall count of registered nurses. It has been reported that many freelance nurses provide care without BIG registration, which is illegal unless a doctor is present or the nurse is described as non-practicing.

Other Specialists and Management Roles

Beyond doctors and nurses, the healthcare sector includes various other specialists. In 2018, a study found that 66% of these specialists were women. While management roles in healthcare are increasing, the percentage of managers in healthcare centers themselves is low, with just under 3%. There has been a noted decline in male managers in all industries, with an overall decrease in male managers in healthcare and a slight decrease in female managers.

Future Trends and Implications

According to a figure from the CBS in 2016, there was a noticeable shift in birth rates from urban to rural areas when the construction industry returned to normalcy after the 2008 crisis. This could explain the decline in numbers of female nurses in rural areas.

Despite this decline, the introduction of healthcare management students who are predominantly female (80% as of a recent figure) suggests that a future where female dominance in healthcare management is likely. In healthcare, 35 of the top managers are women, and as these numbers grow, healthcare management may become more gender-balanced.

Conclusion

In sum, the trend towards a dominant female workforce in healthcare is evident and increasing. While this shift is not necessarily negative, the continued decline in male participation in medical fields could impact the performance and structure of healthcare organizations.

Gender-diverse organizations tend to perform better, making a sustained decline in male participation in healthcare a potential cause for concern. As the healthcare sector continues to evolve, it is crucial to maintain a balance that benefits both male and female professionals. Continued research and support for healthcare professionals, regardless of gender, will be essential for the future of the health care sector.