eprintid: 4449
rev_number: 4
eprint_status: archive
userid: 1
dir: disk0/00/00/44/49
datestamp: 2024-02-02 10:27:17
lastmod: 2024-02-02 10:27:17
status_changed: 2024-02-02 10:27:17
type: thesis
metadata_visibility: show
sword_depositor: 1
creators_name: Veenstra, Nynke
creators_id: S3513807
creators_email: nynke.lisa@gmail.com
title: Gender bias in the medical education: A qualitative study on the perspectives of medicine students on their education in Groningen, The Netherlands
ispublished: unpub
full_text_status: public
abstract: Within the world of medicine, a gender bias exists which causes several problems for both patients
and personnel. The medical education is an institution that can perpetuate this gender bias to
future medical professionals. Despite previous studies exposing a gender bias in the medical
education already, an in-depth understanding of student’s experiences is not obtained yet. This
study therefore aims to get a deeper understanding of how students themselves experience their
education and its curriculum and whether they perceive their education as gender biased.
Students' experiences, awareness of and beliefs regarding gender bias were investigated. Gender
Order Theory and Cultural Schema Theory were used as frameworks. Semi-structured in-depth
interviews were conducted with twelve medicine students currently studying at the University of
Groningen, with an equal division of male and female participants from different study years.
Findings showed that participants feel that their education is gender biased, several reasons
contributed to this. First, they felt there was a lack of information sharing on gender differences.
Secondly, they felt there was a lack recognition of the problem of gender bias. Third, gender biased
attitudes in a hospital context from both patients and medical professionals were perceived to be
mostly directed towards women. Lastly, students lacked confidence in their abilities to treat
female patients equally as male patients. Based on the findings, the medical training programs at
the University of Groningen and beyond are advised to look critically at the incorporation of sex
and gender-based information in their curriculum as students currently feel that they lack
knowledge on this topic. A cultural shift is required in order to ensure that all patients receive the
healthcare and treatment they need.
date: 2024
pages: 66
thesis_type: master
degree_programme: POPST
tutors_name: Haas, B. de
tutors_organization: Fac. Ruimtelijke wetenschappen, Basiseenheid Demografie
tutors_email: B.de.Haas@rug.nl
security: public
keywords_local: medical education
keywords_local: gender bias
keywords_local: medicine students
keywords_local: gender differences
keywords_local: medical curriculum
keywords_local: qualitative research
keywords_local: medicine
keywords_local: gender order
keywords_local: health inequalities
language_iso: en
date_issued: 2024-01-31
citation:   Veenstra, Nynke  (2024) Gender bias in the medical education: A qualitative study on the perspectives of medicine students on their education in Groningen, The Netherlands.  Master thesis.   
document_url: https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/4449/1/Final%20Thesis%20-%20Nynke%20Veenstra.pdf