Gender Representation Among Invited Physician Speakers at National Emergency Medicine Conferences.

ObjectivesWe aimed to replicate the idea that physicians' self‐presentation characteristics (i.e. formal vs. informal attire) and gender (i.e. men vs. women) influence perceptions of their warmth and competence. Further, we aimed to extend this line of work by examining how these relationships are moderated by trust in physicians.DesignWe conducted a 2 (physician gender: men vs. women) × 2 (self‐presentation: formal vs. informal attire) experiment using publicly available physician images.MethodsStudents (N = 734) were randomly assigned to rate five physician images from a pool of 20 stimuli across physician gender and attire conditions. Participants rated physicians on warmth and competence, and then completed a trust in physicians scale. Linear mixed models evaluated main effects and interaction effects for self‐presentation, gender and physician trust.ResultsPhysicians in formal attire (white lab coats) were perceived as warmer and more competent than those in informal attire (casual or informal wear). Women physicians were rated as warmer, but not more competent than men physicians. Two‐way interaction effects revealed formal attire enhanced perceptions of men physicians more than women on average. Three‐way interaction effects indicated trust in physicians moderated these results, with women physicians' ratings being more dependent on participants' general trust levels, particularly for those with lower trust in the medical profession.ConclusionsWe replicated and extended this literature by demonstrating how physician gender and patient trust levels moderate self‐presentation effects. For physicians, understanding a patient's relationship with the medical establishment may help to inform their self‐presentation choices.

Gender biases in surgical residency and their association with postoperative outcomes: A qualitative study of residents in general and orthopedic surgery.

Women are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. physician workforce, dominating pediatrics and OB-GYN and representing more than 40% in several key specialties. Despite this growth, outdated workplace models contribute to early-career attrition, especially among women balancing caregiving responsibilities. To address physician shortages and ensure care continuity, CMOs must implement strategies like childcare support, lactation accommodations, flexible schedules, and equitable pay. These changes are essential for retaining women physicians and sustaining access to care, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

ObjectivesWomen doctors face considerable challenges navigating family planning, pregnancy and motherhood. Their experiences can have relevance for health system functioning, including doctor retention. This scoping review synthesises research on family planning, fertility, pregnancy and motherhood among women doctors in the EU and the UK.DesignScoping review conducted according to JBI best practice guidance.Data sourcesMEDLINE, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, PsycInfo and Web of Science were searched, and supplemented with backwards and forwards citation chasing.Eligibility criteriaPeer-reviewed, original research, in English, focusing on either fertility and family planning, pregnancy and/or motherhood among women doctors in an EU country(s) and/or the UK.Data extraction and synthesisData were extracted independently by two authors. Data were synthesised using deductive content analysis and collated using narrative synthesis.ResultsIn total, 34 studies were identified. Family planning appears complicated by medical careers. Medical specialty choice is particularly impacted, with certain specialties (eg, General Practice) considered particularly family friendly and others markedly less so. Pregnancy complications among women doctors, especially surgeons, were documented. However, women doctors’ and non-doctors’ pregnancy outcomes were overall not significantly different. Notably, doctor-mothers had fewer children and were more likely to report making compromises or facing negative consequences when balancing family and career than doctor-fathers.ConclusionsWomen doctors in the EU and UK report challenges in balancing work and motherhood. With the potential for their experiences to impact on health system functioning and patient outcomes, training bodies and health organisations should take proactive action to better support women doctors and ensure they can remain in the profession and practice in their desired specialty. Future research examining working practices/schedules during pregnancy, breastfeeding experiences, parenting and childcare and maternal mental health will support a better understanding of women doctors’ experiences and facilitate implementation of effective supports.

Physician burnout is a major challenge for health systems, with some evidence suggesting that women physicians experience higher levels of burnout and lower professional fulfillment compared with men. However, findings on gender disparities in well-being outcomes have been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to quantitatively and qualitatively explore gender-based differences in the determinants of occupational well-being among academic faculty neurologists. We conducted a convergent mixed-methods study using both survey and semistructured interview data. The quantitative component included data from the 2021 Professional Well-being Academic Consortium survey, which measures burnout, professional fulfillment, and hypothesized well-being determinants. The survey was completed by 539 neurologists from multiple academic medical centers. We used generalized regression models to assess gender differences in occupational well-being outcomes (i.e., burnout and professional fulfillment) including interaction terms to explore whether the relationship between each determinant and well-being outcomes differed by gender. The qualitative component involved interviews with 33 neurologists to explore gender-specific drivers of well-being and burnout, using thematic analysis to identify key patterns. While no significant differences in mean burnout or professional fulfillment scores were observed between men and women, there were gender-based differences in the determinants of occupational well-being outcomes. For men, negative impact of work on personal relationships, sleep-related impairment, and personal-organizational values alignment were more strongly associated with professional fulfillment, suggesting that these factors play a larger role in men's well-being. Perceived gratitude, although a protective factor for both genders, had a weaker buffering effect against burnout for women. Qualitatively, women reported facing unique drivers of burnout, including greater responsibilities at home, barriers to integrating responsibilities at work with those at home, and gender-based discrimination. Gender-based disparities in occupational well-being outcomes are, to some degree, driven by different determinants for men and women. While well-being was more affected by measurable factors in men, in women, well-being was shaped by broader sociocultural dynamics, making their challenges more difficult to capture with conventional workplace metrics. Interventions targeting relational aspects of work and improving work-life integration-especially for women in the early stages of their careers-may support neurologist well-being.

ABSTRACT This article gives vignettes describing some key aspects of the medical, social and peace work of five women doctors prior to World War One – Anna Kuliscioff, Madeleine Pelletier, Aletta Jacobs, Alice Hamilton and Maria Montessori. Their activities gathered around feminist, political and social reform approaches in trying to combat the exploitation of working-class women, advocating for social and political equality, improving their education and in trying to reduce the phenomena of war and militarism. Because they were women, they faced considerable obstacles in pursuing their careers as doctors, but this is why they sympathized with the emerging feminist and socialist movements of their time and often played a leading role in them. Their attempts to prevent World War One, to bring about its early end, as well as their peace initiatives after 1918, can be seen as a logical continuation of their professional work: the prevention and alleviation of human suffering and misery. Their work as women, doctors and peacemakers can still be inspirational today.

Gender disparities in medicine are well documented, including in emergency medicine. These disparities are influenced by a variety of factors such as payment models, patient expectations, and time spent on different aspects of care, including documentation. While gender-based differences in patient care have been associated with better outcomes for patients treated by women physicians, the underlying reasons remain unclear. This study aims to quantify and compare time spent on patient care tasks, stratified by physician gender, in an academic emergency department (ED). We conducted a prospective observational time-motion study from July to August 2022 in the ambulatory care area of a large tertiary academic ED. Research assistants shadowed physicians during daytime and evening shifts, timing eight predefined clinical tasks for each patient encounter while also collecting data on patient characteristics and provider demographics (gender, years of practice, training stream). Statistical analyses included Wilcoxon rank sum tests and linear regression to examine task durations and gender differences. Our sample size was determined by feasibility. Thirty-seven physicians (32.4% women, 67.6% men) were observed across 65 shifts involving 1204 patient encounters. Women physicians spent significantly more time per patient than men (mean 20.9 vs. 18.1min, + 15.5%, p = 0.015), particularly on initial assessments (7.1 vs. 6.4min, + 10.9%, p = 0.024) and charting (6.7 vs. 5.2min, + 28.8%, p = 0.001). No significant gender differences were found in other tasks. The additional time spent by women was not fully explained by measured tasks, suggesting other unmeasured contributors such as interruptions or workflow inefficiencies. Women emergency physicians spend more time per patient on assessments and documentation than men physicians. These findings raise important considerations for gender equity in clinical performance metrics and documentation burden.

Women physicians are critical to healthcare delivery and have primary responsibility for homelife activities. Although diverse initiatives now support the work-related challenges of women physicians, published evidence about initiatives to address their homelife challenges has not been evaluated. We conducted a systematic review of interventions to mitigate diverse homelife responsibilities of women physicians. A comprehensive search was conducted for intervention studies with outcome measures related to childbearing, childcare, homelife responsibilities, and/or other family/personal support of women physicians in PubMed or PsycINFO and reference mining of publications. Publications at any time before September 15, 2025, were considered. Two independent reviewers screened studies and extracted data on the type of homelife initiative, study design, population, and setting for eligible studies. Results were extracted for prespecified outcomes: participation, uptake/response rates, effect on clinical outcomes, satisfaction, burnout, and practice engagement. Certainty of evidence and risk of bias of included studies were evaluated. No meta-analysis was performed due to study heterogeneity. Of 2896 reviewed citations, 8 studies met inclusion criteria including 5 from the USA and 1 each from Turkey, Germany, and Japan. Sample sizes ranged from 6 to 790. Interventions with outcome measures directly affecting homelife addressed lactation support (4); pre- and post-partum leave (2); and assistance with housework (2). All studies were limited by non-randomized design and selection effects. Only the effects of lactation interventions were graded as moderately positive for breastfeeding duration and reduced interference with work. All studies had moderate or high risk of bias. The evidence base of interventions to assist women physicians with their homelife responsibilities primarily addressed childbearing and childcare. Studies were generally methodologically weak and failed to offer support to women who did not have children. This review identifies an important opportunity for research to support women physicians' careers. CRD42025649041.

In the late 1800s, several women physicians began to challenge the sociopolitical forces that had prevented women from breaking into the male dominated field of medicine. Charlotte Blake Brown, MD was one of these early women physicians. Beyond providing exceptional clinical care to her patients, she had an outsized impact on her surrounding community. She co-founded a hospital, helped pioneer advancements in surgical technique, established safe and accessible infant nutrition, advocated for incubator technology, organized grassroots programs for women and children, and created a cancer registry. Specifically, her cancer registry was ahead of its time in scope and assessment of outcomes in each of her patient's clinical course after discharged from the hospital. This model of systematic patient data collection was later emulated by well-known registries such as the Codman bone sarcoma and Yale-New Haven databases that went on to inspire the Nationwide Cancer Database through the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). In this review, we will highlight the incredible work she was able to accomplish as a pioneer female physician with a specific focus on the novelty of her cancer registry.

Cervical dysplasia is preventable through screening methods and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Cervical cancer (CC) mortality is disproportionately higher in low-and-middle-income nations, which lack a population-based screening program. Health professionals should promptly counsel and educate females about cervical dysplasia prevention. this work aimed to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of female health professionals about cervical cell dysplasia. As well as addressing the potential barriers against routine cytological screening tests. A cross-sectional multicentric study at two tertiary hospitals; Tanta and Menoufia University Hospitals, recruited 1300 women (physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists) via a multistage stratified random sampling technique. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of 4 sections was used to collect the relevant data. Across all professions, 25% and 49.2% respectively had good knowledge levels and positive attitudes regarding cervical dysplasia. The majority had not been vaccinated against HPV nor undergone a Pap smear. Older age, urban residence, and positive family history were significant predictors of negative attitudes towards screening, p < 0.0001, beta 95%(CI) = -0.8 ( -0.1,-0.05), -0.9 (-1.2,-0.6), -0.2 (-0.8,0.4)) respectively. The most encountered barriers opposing screening included lack of awareness about health facilities providing CC screening and the belief that there is no need so far, no complaints (72.6%,73%). Female health professionals possessed acceptable knowledge and relatively positive attitudes regarding CC prevention, while their practices were discouraging. Believing that CC is a curse was the main culprit of refraining screening. It is pivotal to enhance accessibility to cervical screening services in various healthcare settings and boost the knowledge of health practitioners as they are key promoters of public health.

ObjectivesElectronic health record (EHR) work may differently affect women and men physicians. Identifying gender discrepancies in EHR work across different specialties may inform strategies to reduce EHR burdens.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated EHR use by ambulatory physicians in 4 specialties (2 procedural [cardiology and gastroenterology] and 2 nonprocedural [internal medicine and rheumatology]) during 1 year at a large academic medical institution. Gender differences in EHR and clinical workload across specialties were evaluated by analysis of variance. Mixed-effects linear regression models analyzed gender differences in EHR workload controlling for specialty. Significant differences were additionally examined by stratifying procedural and nonprocedural specialties.ResultsClinical and EHR workload varied across specialties (P <.05), though scheduled clinical workload did not differ by gender. Controlling for specialty, women physicians spent more time per appointment on In Basket messages (P =.001), sent more Secure Chat messages per appointment (P =.003), and spent more time in the EHR outside 7:00 AM-7:00 PM (P <.001) than men. Gender differences in messaging were concentrated among the procedural physicians. Women procedural physicians spent more time on In Basket messages (P <.001) and sent more Secure Chat messages (P =.007) than men, whereas these differences did not occur among nonprocedural physicians.DiscussionWomen physicians had greater EHR burdens despite similar scheduled clinical workloads as men. The greater messaging workload predominantly affected women procedural physicians.ConclusionGender disparities in EHR burden in ambulatory specialties vary between procedural and nonprocedural fields. Future research is needed to mitigate gender inequity in EHR workloads.

Looking back on a clinical academic career: a woman physician’s leadership journey

Background/Objectives: Menopause is a significant, universal hormonal transition, with symptoms impacting ~80% of women. Research shows that menopause can be professionally disruptive, contributing to decreased productivity, absenteeism, and early exit from the workplace. The objective of this study was to describe the landscape of menopause among Canadian women physicians and explore its potential impact on work performance, job satisfaction, and absenteeism. Methods: In this exploratory cross-sectional study, Canadian physicians self-identifying as women and peri-menopausal or menopausal were invited to participate in an online survey between May–September 2023. Demographic and practice characteristics data were collected. A modified Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was used to quantify symptom burden. Qualitative data describing the menopausal experience were collected as well. Primary outcome was self-reported work performance. Secondary outcomes included perceived impact of menopause on promotional opportunities, absenteeism, and job satisfaction. Multivariable regression was used to examine associations between MRS scores and outcomes of interest. Results: Among 217 respondents, 47.7% reported a severe menopausal symptom burden; 40% felt menopause negatively impacted work performance, and 16.1% expressed job dissatisfaction. However, fewer than 10 respondents (4.6%) ever took time off for menopausal symptoms. Increasing MRS scores were significantly associated with negative perceived work performance (p < 0.001), fewer promotional opportunities (p < 0.001), and lower job satisfaction (p = 0.006) when controlling for confounders. Qualitative responses were provided by 43 participants, 6 of whom reported positive aspects of the menopausal transition, whereas 20 elaborated on the challenges. Conclusions: Canadian women physicians can experience severe menopausal symptoms, often without support. This needs assessment highlights an important occupational health issue and suggests that opportunities remain for medical institutions and employers to formally recognize and study this life stage of women physicians to improve well-being for this valuable workforce.

This study aimed to address the factors affecting Turkish women's doctor preferences in gynecology and obstetrics examinations. This descriptive and cross-sectional survey study was completed with a total of 572 women aged 18 years and older. Data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form, the Body Intimacy in Gynecology and Obstetrics Scale (BIGOS), and the Spirituality Scale (SS). The proportion of women who had previously had a gynecology and obstetrics examination with a female doctor was 50.7%, and the proportion of women who would prefer a female doctor for future examinations was 53.0%. It was determined that those who had ever been examined by a female doctor and those who would prefer a female doctor scored higher on both the spirituality and privacy scales than those who preferred a male doctor (p

Modern medicine is considered to be scientific and evidence based. However, it was born within deeply patriarchal, col0onial and exclusionary sy6stems and founded on the violent suppression of women healers during the European witch hunts. This origin laid the groundwork for a male-dominated medical establishment that deliberately erased generations of feminine knowledge and healing traditions. Women were ousted from caregiving roles through a calculated mix of violence, professionalization, and ridicule. Instructions like Harvard medical school refused entry to women up until 1945 citing laughable reasons – from fears of distraction to the supposed drying of ovaries from too much thinking. With colonization, these ideologies and systems were imposed on the countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, suppressing and dismissing centuries of indigenous medical knowledge and also criminalizing sexual and reproductive norms. Homosexuality, gender fluidity, sexual expressions and abortion were all systematically pathologized, policed, and punished through newly imposed medical and legal systems. The repercussions of this are still being felt today through the Penal Codes set up in the 1800s. Women’s pain is disbelieved, their sexual health curated for ensuring male pleasure and their reproductive choices controlled. While women patients face medical gaslighting, women doctors themselves face gender bias and systemic barriers to leadership.

Rationale:Infectious sacroiliitis (ISI) is a rare infection of the sacroiliac joint, typically affecting adolescents and children. Its diverse and nonspecific clinical manifestations, along with often unremarkable early imaging findings, frequently lead to diagnostic delays and poor outcomes. This report presents a case of ISI caused by Staphylococcus aureus in a young female physician, aiming to enhance clinicians’ awareness of ISI in atypical populations, emphasize the importance of early imaging and microbiological testing in diagnosis, and provide insights into the clinical management of this rare condition.Patient concerns:A 29-year-old woman physician was admitted to our medical facility due to experiencing right hip pain for 5 days. The pain was characterized as constant and achy, not extending to other parts of the body, but intensifying notably when walking or bending. Resting provided some relief from the pain, and there was no significant discomfort on the left side. Additionally, she complained trouble walking and weakness in her right lower limb.Diagnoses:Accordingly, taking into account the patient’s medical background, physical assessment, and findings from admission tests, a diagnosis was made of methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and right-sided ISI.Interventions:The patient received intravenous cefoperazone-sulbactam for a duration of 4 weeks as part of her anti-infection treatment regimen, with a dosage of 3.0 grams administered every 12 hours.Outcomes:Following 3 days of treatment, her pain levels decreased, enabling her to have some restricted movement. By the end of the first week, her body temperature normalized, her pain considerably lessened, and a subsequent blood culture came back negative. A follow-up magnetic resonance imaging of the sacroiliac joint 4 weeks later showed improvement in bone marrow edema specifically on the right side of the joint.Lessons:ISI is a rare condition that can be quite challenging to diagnose due to its vague and nonspecific symptoms. magnetic resonance imaging is considered the most reliable imaging technique for identifying ISI when there is suspicion of the condition. Early identification of the specific bacterial strain based on drug sensitivity testing is crucial for the effective clinical management of ISI and for predicting the patient’s prognosis.

Background: Women physicians comprise more than half of graduating medical students in the United States, yet their rates of burnout and attrition from academic medicine are higher than for men physicians across every career stage. Objective: In May 2024, the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University convened international experts on physician gender inequity and well-being for an exploratory seminar. The goal was to establish consensus on an institutional roadmap to mitigate burnout in women physicians. Methods: We addressed 3 main questions through presentations, roundtable discussions, and the screening of an award winning physician-directed and -produced film on the subject: (1) What are major organizational drivers of women physician burnout and institutional best practices to address these drivers? (2) What barriers hinder successful implementation of best practices? (3) How can institutions overcome these barriers? Through iterative dialogue during the seminar and post-hoc discussions on the conceptualization of this manuscript, our group reached a consensus on an institutional roadmap to diminish burnout in all physicians identifying as women. Results: We conceived a budget neutral, easily adopted, and sustainable institutional roadmap to mitigate burnout in women physicians. The roadmap is grounded in a learning health system and leverages data collection to drive iterative, structural changes that achieve meaningful impact on a culture of well-being. Conclusions: Organizational accountability for a culture of well-being is critical to diminish burnout in women physicians and should be approached through intentional, multi-pronged, structural changes which restore trust and achieve belonging.

A safe workplace goes beyond simply following regulations, it is a basic right that shields employees from physical, emotional, and psychological harm. This position paper looks at the various aspects of workplace safety, especially for women physicians, highlighting the need for an environment built on trust, inclusivity, and respect. Even with advancements in gender representation, women in medicine often face problems like harassment, discrimination, and systemic inequalities that affect their well-being and career development. The connection between workplace safety and quality patient care is examined, showing evidence that harassment and systemic neglect can cause clinician burnout and medical errors, ultimately harming patient outcomes. This position paper addresses systemic obstacles, such as power imbalances, restrictive contracts, and socioeconomic challenges that prevent women physicians from advocating for their safety. The paper highlights the need for strong reporting systems, independent oversight, and supportive practices for victims as essential parts of a broad strategy to improve workplace safety. Additionally, it argues that supportive measures like better parental leave, hiring focused on diversity, and steps to reduce workplace violence are vital for building a strong medical workforce. By committing to inclusivity and fair policies, the medical community can empower women physicians and provide high-quality care for diverse patient groups. In the end, a safe and fair workplace is crucial for the long-term success of the healthcare profession, leading to a healthier future for everyone.

Pushing the Cause of Women in Medicine Ahead: Connecticut's Women Physicians during the First World War