Why write about such a gruesome topic when we want to encourage young women to become doctors and scientists? Prevention requires admitting there is a problem and only then can proper therapy begin.
Becoming a doctor is very difficult no matter if you are a man or a woman. You must climb a series of scientific and emotional mountains. You must care about the needs of others over your own, even when you are tired, hungry or have other worries in your life. And above all, you must sustain an incredibly high level of self-confidence and internalize the value of health and healing you are going to bring to the lives of others.
For women, the lack of self-confidence and failure of internalization of one’s own value often erode during the long haul through the years of schooling, training, and then practice. Certainly we have no shortage of self-confidence and self-worth as we start out on this path. And physically women physicians take good care of themselves. They exercise more, eat healthier foods, and have healthier behaviors than the average woman. And yet, compared to women in the general population, they are more likely to become depressed and commit suicide. What happens on the way?
The two most common reasons are heavy work-life burdens and gender bias. Add these to the usual stressors of being a physician and one could readily see a recipe for disaster. And while these two very broad categories might seem to cover the gamut of possibilities, there are other, additional conflicts, which lay deep and simmer only to be brought to the surface with the ongoing subliminal and open abuse women physicians receive from both internal and external sources.
Gender bias in medicine has not gone away. That’s the bad news. The good news is that women are no longer accepting the usual anti-dotes. Sensitivity and/or cultural diversity training has been found to have no positive, and perhaps even a negative effect. Going through a pregnancy and even with a generous maternity leave (and even paternity leave) does not alleviate the gender stereotyping that erodes our confidence, not to mention our position in the rigid medical heirarchy. Working “part time” all too often comes with additional sacrifices that are way out of proportion to the hours and effort expended. The list could go on, but you get the gist.
So what could physicians do to dampen the effects that could lead to such a tragic outcome? Know your own personal risk factors such as family history and personal medical history. Know your own demons and conflicts. Know what gender bias looks like. Know what a toxic environment looks like.
Stay tuned for details.
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6 Comments
What about women who pride themselves for their femininity and “sass” for lack of a better word and are hammered constantly by men in surgery. Why can’t pretty women be surgeons? Why are they failed so frequently at oral board exams? Is it that the men aren’t listening? Haven’t there been studies demonstrating this? No wonder women physicians have a high suicide rate. We try to be and do everything but some people aren’t listening.
Ouch! Kelly you have hit one of the biggest nails on its head! Gender stereotyping is the most insidious form and it is one of the biggest reasons that women physicians have increased stress.
This past weekend I was at the 2nd National Symposium for Women in Surgery in Tampa. It was fantastic and I met strong, beautiful, passionate women at all stages of a surgical career, including 6 (or more) leaders in academic surgery–and they defied all stereotypes.
Expediting the Inevitable is the way we are going to tap into the workforce of women physicians–fully, fairly and flexibly. Hope you will be part of that movement–launch is this month. Sign up and stay tuned. http://www.expeditingtheinevitable.com
I will never give up! I’m a very proud and sassy Colon and Rectal Surgeon and worked very hard to be here. I’m in the second largest group in the nation and was trained by and employed by some of the most respected minds in CRS. I have, however, failed my oral boards more than once and they fail me on CR questions. I know they are staring and not listening. My partners are appalled and speechless. I am still not speechless but angered. I’m sure I am not the only one! It has taken a huge toll on my life for the past 3 years. I remain optimistic! I am a surgeon dammit!
You are a surgeon dammit! And the great ones never give up. Never, never, never, never. (to quote the great Sir Winston Churchill).
What practical advice can we get from the readers to make sure any bias is not present here?
It took a lot of courage to share this. Thanks.
The advice from me is not to give in to what is expected but to maintain what you are. If that is a pretty woman with confidence then, screw them, it will eventually be acknowledged but still not fair to you. There are others like me and you. I love my job and can’t let the old bastards drag me down. I’m a great surgeon who is not afraid to hug my patients and their families. We, as women, will always have a “better up” on men for compassion. Especially if we have families. It’s who we are! We make better care givers! If you are a woman surgeon, expect to take on a role of a primary practice doc just a little. It’s rewarding! They trust you more than any!
Thank you Linda for listening to me and commenting. I’m in a group of 12 men and feel all alone. Need advise alot.