A Qualitative and Quantitative Examination of Gender Role Attitudes of Residencies and their Exposure to Gender Discrimination

Abstract

Background: Gendered attitudes have been observed in medicine over the last 50 years, and the effects of social gender inequality can be seen in professional practices from various perspectives. We aimed to examine the attitudes of residency physicians towards their gender roles, and also to examine their exposure to gender discrimination while performing tasks in their daily work-life. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional type phenomenological research using a mixed method design. It was designed using the sequential strategy within the explanatory pattern. In the quantitative part of the study, 81.3% of the residency students were accessed, and a survey consisting of 78 items was performed using face-to-face interviews. In the qualitative part, personal interviews were performed with 11 residency students who were selected using the purposeful sampling method. Results: According to studies in medicine, the areas of specialty and the tasks to be performed in daily work-life were classified based on gender. Female physicians were exposed to gender inequality and discriminative attitudes, especially in surgical departments. Conclusion: Gender roles attributed to women negatively affect their professional and academic lives. Keywords: GENDER, WOMEN’S HEALTH, RESIDENCY PHYSICIANS, MIXED METHOD