The white coat public art project: using the white coat as a canvas for reflection for women in medicine

Abstract

ObjectivesBurnout and low job satisfaction have disproportionately impacted female physicians compared with their male counterparts, with gender-specific oppression and bias in the workforce. This project aims to address the relationship of women in medicine to their chosen field through public art. Study designA call for using the white coat as a canvas to describe positive attributes and self-reflection was shared with all American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) branches at medical schools. MethodsStudents in AMWA branches created white coats, designing them to answer the posed question. ResultsWhite coats were sent to the national conference for display, revealing certain themes, challenges, resilience, and humanization of the training and working experience for women in medicine. ConclusionThis white coat public art project directly and indirectly addresses causes of burnout and serves as a way to create community, address isolation, and empower women in medicine.