The Qualitative Study of Gender Bias in Medicine: The Cyclic Effect

Abstract

Background: The development of a medical workforce that enables universal access to safe, just, and equitable healthcare is hampered by gender-related inequality and disparity. Aim: Our goal in this study is to comprehend how gender prejudice has a cyclical impact that spreads from the fields of education and research to clinical practice. Materials and Methods: We conducted a qualitative study in which we collected information from faculty members and MBBS students through individual interviews. The transcripts of the interviews were analyzed thematically. Results and Discussion: The participants reported a culture that reinforces gendered standards in both education and clinical practice. There is a gender bias in mentoring, learning support, and reading materials offered to students, which often spills into clinical practice and impacts how healthcare is delivered. Conclusion: According to our research, there is a cyclic effect of women’s exclusion in medical education, research, and clinical practice that is caused by gender bias. These results highlight the need for gender-just systems of education, research, and clinical care to successfully address gender prejudice.

Keywords

• cyclic effect
• gender bias
• medicine