Sexism in Medical Education

The medical school professor stands affront  a group of first year students in a mid-size auditorium. “I need a go-to guy,” he says, “someone to direct my questions towards.” He scans the room. “I’ve never actually had a go-to girl, before,” he admits. Later in the lecture, he makes a joke at a male student’s expense. “I joke!” he laughs. “Usually I don’t pick on the girls of the class – they can be too emotional – its true! My wife tells me it’s true.”
During an exercise aimed at discussing issues of public health, the facilitator disagrees with a student who says that men and women should be treated equally as patients: “Men and women are inherently different,” he says, and later: “Women are less physically strong than men. If I were in battle, I wouldn’t want a woman fighting next to me. She just wouldn’t be able to carry me out.”
During a small group problem-based learning activity, the proctor encourages the women in the group to pursue an Allergy fellowship. “An Allergy fellowship is especially good for women – you can get in late (to the office) and leave early. You can still have a family,” he says.
During a lecture on Lupus, the professor looks around the room: “I don’t want to be sexist — and I don’t think I am — but, many times particularly for women, when they get the moon face, buffalo...

Source: Disruptive Women in Health Care - February 10, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: dw at disruptivewomen.net Tags: Advocacy Health Professions Source Type: blogs