Resumen en español

El estudio se basa en las encuestas realizadas a 35 médicas egresadas de la Universidad del Valle, Cali, graduadas entre 1959 y 1996, escogidas en forma aleatoria estratificada de un total de 438 egresadas. El objetivo es establecer el nivel de satisfacción tanto familiar como laboral, describir las circunstancias que las han rodeado en su desempeño profesional y correlacionar su satisfacción o insatisfacción con características individuales. Del total, 88.6% están satisfechas a nivel familiar y 71.4% a nivel laboral; 23% ha sufrido acoso sexual, 17.6% ha recibido salarios menores, 29.4% menos garantías laborales y 17.6% se le ha negado la ocupación de un alto cargo por su condición de mujer. El estrato socioeconómico presenta una clara tendencia a disminuir en las últimas promociones. La especialidad preferida es la pediatría. Hay correlación entre el nivel de satisfacción familiar y el estado civil, el vivir sola o acompañada, la calidad de sus relaciones intrafamiliares y la aceptación de su profesión por los miembros de la familia, jornada laboral y desempeño de su función como madre/esposa o hija. No se relaciona con el estrato socioeconómico, ni con la participación en los oficios domésticos. El nivel de satisfacción laboral se relaciona con el ejercer, el haber recibido premios y realizado postgrados. Peculiarmente, no tiene relación con los aumentos, los ascensos, el acoso sexual y la discriminación laboral (menores salarios y garantías laborales y la negación de un alto cargo por la condición de mujer). The study is based on inquiries made to 35 female physicians from Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia, who received their degree between 1959 and 1996, and who were chosen in an aleatory and stratified way from a total of 438 graduate. The objective is to establish a level of satisfaction in both family and labor environments, to describe the circumstances surrounding their professional performance, and to correlate either their satisfaction or lack of it with their individual characteristics; 88.6% are satisfied at family level, and 71.4% at labor level. 23% have experienced sexual harassment, 17.6% have received lesser salaries, 29.4% have had lesser labor guarantees, and 17.6% have been denied a higher position due to their condition as women. The socioeconomic status tends clearly to lessen in the latest promotions. Pediatrics is the favorite specialty. There is a correlation between the satisfaction of the family level and the legal status, between living alone or with someone, between the quality of her relations within the family and the members of the family accepting her profession, between the day´s work and her fulfilling her duties as mother/wife, or daughter. It has no relationship either with the socioeconomic stratum or with her participation in the domestic chores. The labor satisfaction level is related to practicing, to have received awards, and to have accomplished postgraduate studies. It is not particularly associated with salary increases, promotions, sexual harassment, and labor discrimination (lesser salaries and labor guarantees, and the denial of a high position for being a woman).