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Was in pre-op for an emergent take back over the weekend. My chief arrived & in the middle of her asking me (the intern) to put in orders for the case, the male anesthesia resident asked if she was the pre-op nurse. She cordially explained she was the chief surgical resident 1/10
She was clearly the leader of our team yet had to defend her position as such. As a man, I often get benefit of the doubt of being “the Dr.” even when I was a short-coated medical student. As a new intern, people assume I’m in charge but I’ve only been a resident for 40 days 2/10
I have never had to defend my position on a team. This stands in stark contrast to the many women physicians who have to justify their role each & every day. I often wonder if I would have the same amount of patience as my female colleagues, & the answer is an easy no 3/10
Patients have made inappropriate or sexist comments about my female team members, and thankfully my chief residents have addressed & shut them down immediately. But those comments are so rarely aimed at me or my fellow male colleagues, and serves as a reminder 3/10
All you male physicians out there, ESPECIALLY those in positions of leadership, be aware of the tremendous amount of inherent privilege there is in our role. Instead of standing idly by or brushing off sexist or gendered comments, realize we have a collective responsibility 4/10
The responsibility to use our inherent privilege to stop bias, conscious or unconscious. To use any default power bestowed to us by being male to empower others who don’t get such favorable assumptions. We all have a responsibility to act & only actions will create change 5/10
These comments also apply to minorities & other marginalized groups within medicine. If we want to make the field better, we must create a culture of inclusivity that supports doctors from all walks of life no matter someone’s gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc 6/10
Remember that people are always watching & noticing. Medical students & junior residents like myself adopt attitudes & behaviors of their chiefs & attendings. Setting a good example is about more than being a good person, it’s about influencing our future as a profession 7/10
Saying or doing something, even if it is not perfectly handled, is so much better than saying or doing nothing at all. Address & shut down inappropriate and/or biased comments, even if they are from friends, colleagues, or people up the chain in the hierarchy 8/10
And if anything , remember that current/future medical students & residents will be the ones taking care of all us when we are old and/or sick. What kind of physician do you want that person to be? #futureofsurgery #culturechange #equality 10/10
