Only 7 percent of Idaho's 1,800 physicians are women - less than half the national average - but female physicians who work in the state are unsure why.
"This is a very pleasant and supportive environment for women doctors," said Dr. Alice Forsythe, a cancer specialist who has worked at North Idaho Cancer Center for four years. "I've never felt discriminated against."Only 11 of the 174 physicians in Idaho's five northernmost counties are women, and only one of them specializes in obstetrics or gynecology.
But those who do practice in the Panhandle are in demand. Many women want female doctors and travel to Spokane when they are unable to find any in northern Idaho.
"Most female physicians are in the primary care specialties, and historically we've had a difficult time getting any of those of any gender to Idaho," said Bob Seehusen, executive director of the Idaho Medical Association. "We're trying to make Idaho more attractive to physicians, period, and with that will come women physicians."
Nationwide, about 18 percent of all medical doctors are female. The American Medical Association forecasts that will increase to 30 percent by 2010.
The average age of female doctors may have something to do with the reason there are so few in rural Idaho. Nearly three-quarters of women doctors are under 44.
"A young female of almost any profession is most likely going to settle in areas with other young professionals," said Dr. Shirley Khalouf, chairman of the American Medical Association's advisory panel on women in medicine. "That's typically in larger metropolitan areas."
Idaho health officials say they recruit physicians by specialty rather than gender. But some women doctors said recruitment by gender may be necessary to improve health care for women.
Khalouf said Idaho should try to advertise its qualities to help recruit women doctors. That worked with Dr. Joyce Gilbert, a family practitioner from Denver who wanted to return to the West after medical school.