Women's Health Week is an opportunity to celebrate the contribution that women make to healthcare and to reflect on the importance of our own health and wellbeing. 

Women now make up almost half of Australia's registered medical workforce, and more than half of new medical graduates are women. Across medical schools, hospitals, general practices and health services, women are playing an increasingly important role in caring for the health of Australians. 

For many women in medicine, however, caring for others extends far beyond clinical practice. Research suggests that female doctors often balance the demands of patient care, study, training and professional development alongside significant caring responsibilities outside work, including childcare, household management and supporting family members. Studies have also found that female doctors experience higher rates of burnout than their male colleagues, with contributing factors including workload, administrative burden, workplace culture, discrimination, limited control over schedules and the challenge of balancing professional and personal commitments. Female doctors are also more likely to spend additional time with patients, providing emotional support and addressing psychosocial concerns, which can add to their workload. 

These experiences are not universal, and many women find great meaning, connection and fulfilment in both their professional and personal lives. Nevertheless, they highlight an important truth: caring for your own health is not separate from being a good doctor. It is part of it. Looking after your wellbeing helps you sustain the compassion, judgement, resilience and energy needed to care for patients, support colleagues and build a fulfilling career in medicine. 

At every stage of a medical career, women face different challenges. Medical students balance demanding study schedules, examinations and clinical placements. Doctors in training navigate long hours, shift work, family commitments and professional exams. More established practitioners may find themselves juggling clinical responsibilities alongside leadership positions, and caring roles. Whatever stage you are at, it can be easy for your own health to slip down the priority list.  

This Women's Health Week, consider taking a few small steps to support your wellbeing. 

First, make sure you have your own GP. Doctors and medical students are not immune to illness, and having an independent healthcare professional is an important part of maintaining both physical and mental health. If you have been postponing an appointment, this could be the week to book it. 

Second, prioritise sleep and recovery wherever possible. While busy schedules can make this challenging, adequate rest is one of the foundations of good health, helping us think clearly, manage stress and provide safe patient care. 

Third, stay connected. Medicine can be immensely rewarding, but it can also be isolating at times. Making time for supportive relationships, both within and outside the profession, can have a significant positive impact on wellbeing. 

It is also worth paying attention to early signs that you may be under strain. Persistent fatigue, difficulty switching off, irritability or feeling emotionally exhausted are all signals that deserve attention. 

Finally, remember that seeking support is a sign of insight, not weakness. Whether it is a conversation with your GP, a trusted colleague, a mentor or a mental health professional, reaching out early can make a real difference. 

Women's Health Week is not just about recognising the health needs of women. It is also about recognising that those who spend their lives caring for others deserve care too. 

Whether you are a medical student taking your first steps into the profession or an experienced doctor supporting patients and colleagues every day, your health matters. 

Because caring for yourself is not separate from being a good doctor. It is part of it. 

Need to talk? Please reach out to the confidential 24/7 doctors’ health line – 1300 DR4DRS (1300 374 377) or visit our website www.drs4drs.com.au

Dr Kate Reid - Lead Practitioner Drs4Drs National 

References 

1. Medical Board of Australia Annual Summary 2024/25. Women comprise 47.2% of registered medical practitioners in Australia. [medicalboard.gov.au] 
2. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Medical doctors and specialists in Australia. Notes that women comprise 43% of doctors overall and 51% of new medical graduates. [health.gov.au] 
3. Lyubarova R, Salman L, Rittenberg E. Gender Differences in Physician Burnout: Driving Factors and Potential Solutions. The Permanente Journal. 2023;27:23.023. Women physicians face higher workloads, spend more time per patient, spend more time in electronic health records, report less control over schedules, and carry disproportionate childcare and elder-care responsibilities. [pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov], [thepermane...ournal.org] 
4. American Medical Women's Association. The Double Shift: The Hidden Toll of Caregiving on Female Physicians. 2025. Describes the impact of dual professional and family caregiving responsibilities on women physicians. [amwa-doc.org] 
5. American Medical Association. Women physicians face heavier burdens and higher burnout risk. 2026. Reports lower satisfaction with work-life integration and higher burnout risk amongst women physicians. [ama-assn.org]