Keywords
Sexual harassment, sexism, medical school, United States, United Kingdom, healthcare
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Mentor
Melba Vélez Ortiz
Abstract
This in-depth secondary research was performed to review existing literature about how sexism affects women in healthcare and medical training in the United States and the United Kingdom. Despite previous legislation passed to limit sexism and sexual harassment in both countries, sexism and sexual harassment are still relevant today, especially in the medical and healthcare field. In fact, despite a continued increase of women in medicine, 91% of qualified female health professionals have experienced sexism at work and 54% of both male and female health professionals believe that sexism acts as a barrier to career progression (BMA, 2024). Based on previous research performed about sexism towards women in the healthcare setting and medical education, I have identified four themes: sexual harassment in the occupational setting, sexual harassment in the educational setting, male-dominated vs. female-dominated specialties, and gender stereotyping. The patriarchal system of healthcare and medical training should be challenged and prompted to change the workplace and educational environments to advance gender equality for women physicians and medical students. Women are allowed in healthcare occupations and admitted to medical schools, but the medicine field still reflects gender bias.
ScholarWorks Citation
Kerr, Emily, "How Sexism Affects Women in Healthcare and Medical Training In The United States and The United Kingdom" (2025). Honors Projects. 960.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/honorsprojects/960
