• Karen Bloor, Nick Freemantle, and Alan Maynard.
• Department of Health Sciences, University of York, UK. keb3@york.ac.uk
• J R Soc Med. 2008 Jan 1; 101 (1): 27-33.

ObjectiveTo explore whether or not gender predicts consultant activity rates.DesignUsing 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.SettingData from the Hospital Episode Statistics for England.Main Outcome MeasuresFinished 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.ResultsIncluding 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.ConclusionsThe reasons for the different activity rates of male and female consultants are unclear, but the implications of these results for the planning of the medical workforce are important.

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