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.
|
Text
Final Thesis - Nynke Veenstra.pdf Download (769kB) | Preview |
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.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Population Studies |
| Supervisor: | Haas, B. de |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Feb 2024 10:27 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Feb 2024 10:27 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4449 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |