Gender Disparity in the Medical Speciality of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Abstract

Background:: The actual question on the health care system all over the world is gender inequity in some specialties. In spite of different influencing factors for choosing their specialty by medical students and residents, the recent research studies show that gender is significantly influencing on their specialty. Especially gender disparity or inequity is mostly seen in the field of Obstetrics and gynecology. Aim : The purpose of our study is to understand the actual problems for male specialists in the field of obstetrics and gynecology in health care system and to understand how it affects the nation’s health care system and to analyze the possible solutions. Materials and Methods:: The research consists of 815 respondents, which includes medical students, obstetricians and gynecologists and ObsGyn patients. Average age of the respondents were 20 - 50 years. They were divided into three groups. Questionnaire consists of 15 different questions for each group of people in different languages. Results:: The significant difference about the future plan towards choosing of specialty of ObsGyn were less among male respondents with 4%, whereas female respondents accounts for 69% (P<0.001). The main reason for women to choose ObsGyn specialty were comfortability on field with 43%. On the other hand, male respondents didn’t choose ObsGyn specialty because of its less scope for male specialists in this field with 37% and they weren’t sure about the availability of patients with 51%. There is a direct proportion between patients age and wish to visit the male consultants. And indirect proportion between patients age and wish to visit the female consultants. Conclusion:: Less number of male specialists in the obstetrics and gynecology field, doesn’t mean that the male students and residents have no interests on obstetrics and gynecology, but they are thinking and doubting on employment, patient’s availability and scope in the field. By including male and female specialists equally in this field we can improve the quality in preservation of reproductive health, women’s health and significant changes in crude and specific demographic indices. Making proper awareness and explaining about the current reality could be the best possible solution for this issue. The interpersonal style and communication skills should be the most important traits in physicians rather than gender.