Pediatricians' perceptions of gender issues that influence the choice of medical specialty.

Abstract

The medical field has witnessed a growing expansion of the female workforce. Despite a greater appreciation and trust in women in pediatric spaces, gender violence remains a significant concern on the health agenda. This study aimed to investigate how pediatricians perceive gender experiences in daily work, discussing its effects on professional practice. The study adopted a descriptive, exploratory, and qualitative approach and was conducted in a university hospital with 14 pediatricians from the urgency and emergency service. Virtual semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore sociodemographic data, training, and professional background. The narratives obtained were subjected to Content Analysis, resulting in the construction of five categories: choice by specialty; maternity; place of reception; violence; and the male doctor. It was observed that pediatricians build their professional routine based on conservative values of patriarchal and sexist anchorage. The set of narratives emphasize the importance of confronting gender inequality within the scope of medical training.