Gender Equality in Medicine

A topical issue for many workplaces and career pathways, and rightly so, is that of gender inequality. In many high-level positions, from government appointments, to company boardrooms partners in law firms, there is a much greater representation of men compared to women. However, despite the fact that over half of medical graduates are female, there are still huge quantitative differences in female representation in medical specialties and in 'high-powered' healthcare jobs. This blog will again highlight an important social issue that is apparent during your medical training and practice, in order for you to be aware of the facts around this issue so that you may address it effectively. This will also be useful if you're preparing for the GAMSAT exam, as it may help you improve your GAMSAT Section 2 essay writing skills.

Gender equality is a point of discussion that has been very slow to be taken a hold of by the medical profession – once again encapsulating the traditional and somewhat draconian attitudes of many professionals in the field. Anecdotally, through the many conferences and meetings that I have been involved in, there is still a significant denial of a ‘gender issue’ within many circles of medicine. However, the facts are plain to see. The Australian Human Rights Commission have demonstrated that women are consistently passed over for promotions, and have had their wage decreased disproportionately to account for time-off due to child-rearing responsibilities. As of 2014, the gender wage gap for medical practitioners was approximately 30.7%.

Additionally, one in four women will experience some form of sexual harassment in the workplace, and medicine is no different. Earlier this year, Dr Gabrielle McMullin (senior vascular surgeon) stated that the acceptance of sexual propositions from male colleagues would make it an ‘easier path’ for females wanting to be promoted in medicine. While these are disturbing and sickening comments from a senior surgeon, they also highlight a huge issue in the medical workforce. There are also many cases where female doctors voice their complaints and then are subjected to even harsher discrimination and the halting of their career progression. This has made many female medical students and doctors fearful of complaining to a supervising body or person, which then allows the discrimination and harassment to continue.

Evidently, these are deep-seated issues within the medical profession, and must be not only addressed and recognised, but fixed. As future medical professionals, what you can do to support this culture change and be champions of equality, is to speak out against this rampant discrimination and enlist the support of your colleagues in doing so. By not turning a blind-eye to harassment, and not accepting substandard treatment, we can all improve the medical profession for the better. Having the best female and male doctors treating patients is vital in order to serve the health needs of our community, and no one should be held back on account of their gender or for not responding positively to sexual harassment.

Although this issue is far too ingrained to address fully here, I hope you come away from reading this blog empowered with the knowledge that the issue exists, and that you passionately strive for change throughout your training and career.

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