One Dozen Things

Scenario Analysis

This scenario demonstrates behavior on the part of male physicians toward their female colleague that would be unacceptable in the U.S. workplace. The two male doctors are struggling over a very difficult case. Though they have already sought consultation from an expert colleague, they seem unable to sort out what is going on with the patient. A female doctor overhears them and asks to have a look at the patient’s cardiograms, indicating that she believes she may be able to offer some help.

In the United States, the reaction of the male physicians would be interpreted as dismissive and patronizing, and they even address the female physician using a demeaning term, “sweetheart.” They suggest that she should go and tend to her more mundane duties since, in their opinion, she would not be likely to contribute anything of value to their review of the case. She is visibly offended and as she abruptly leaves the room, the two male doctors display a mixture of confusion and amusement over her reaction.

Approximately half of all U.S. doctors are women, and women have distinguished themselves in all areas of medical education and practice. They serve as deans of medical schools, chairs of departments, and as outstanding attending physicians and practitioners. They have earned and deserve the respect of their male colleagues and the entire health care community.

Any behavior that conveys a lack of professional respect or includes demeaning references toward female physicians is unacceptable in the U.S. medical workplace, and will need to be addressed. The U.S. medical system is a team environment in which all members should be treated with respect. You will often be supervised by female residents or attendings and should respect their authority, even if you come from a culture in which women do not typically hold such positions. Similarly, during GME training, both male and female residents will be called upon to take leadership positions and must be prepared to accept these roles.

The male residents in this scenario need to be confronted about their inappropriate behavior and attitudes. In this situation, the female resident had a number of options. She could confront them directly at the time that they made the inappropriate comments. She might have responded that her name is not “sweetheart,” but “Doctor Cruz” or “Maria.” She also could discuss their behavior with the program director or her attending. Whether by direct confrontation or discussion with an authority, such behavior should not go unchallenged.

This scenario deals only with the issue of gender discrimination among medical colleagues, but the issue also has important implications with respect to patient care. Both male and female patients are entitled to be given meaningful information about their care, to question or challenge their physicians, and to participate actively in the decision-making process with regard to their medical care. Issues regarding women who choose to defer decision making to their husbands or other male family members are discussed in the module titled, “The Role of the Patient’s Family.”

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