1. THE TEN REASONS WHY I DIDN’T SAVE THE WORLD THIS YEAR
I Thought It Was Already Saved

2. Mission of the FMWC Commitment to the development of women physicians
Promotion of the well being of all women

3. WOMEN IN MEDICINE

4. Women in medicine constitute:
32.5% of practicing physicians in Canada
53% of practicing physicians in Canada under the age of 35
66% of residents completing family medicine postgraduate training
14% first year trainees in cardiac surgery
83% first year trainees in ob/gyn
65% first year trainees in family medicine

5. Women in medicine constitute:
50% of geriatricians
48% of pediatricians
5% of urologists
7% of orthopedists
37% of general practitioners/family physicians

6. Barriers faced by women physicians
Models of success in medicine
“Double bind” of career vs. family
Shortage of role models and mentors
Sexism and sexual harassment
Homophobia
Disapproval of failure to conform to stereotypical gender roles
Old boys network

7. Women physicians:
Work in their practices, on average, fewer hours than men (46 vs. 53 hours per week)
Are more likely to work in groups
Earn less than men
Are more likely to have children under five
Have greater responsibilities for dependent care and housekeeping
Are less likely to be married

8. Contributions of women physicians
Defining women’s health and its determinants
Recognizing the impact of gender bias and gender role stereotyping on health
Advocating for the importance of addressing the impact of domestic violence on the health and lives of women
Addressing the negative health consequences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and discrimination

9. Contribution of women physicians (cont’d)
Advocating for reproductive rights
Promoting research which:
-addresses women’s health problems
-eliminates gender bias in research
-supports qualitative research
Addressing the need for a more balanced lifestyle

10. Practice patterns of women physicians
Spend more time with patients
More likely to treat patients as partners in health care decisions
Engage in more emotionally focused talk
More likely to provide counselling
More likely to provide preventive and screening services

11. Feminization of medicine
The feminization of medicine really means
the humanization of medicine
Dr. T. Chalmers-Nixon

12. PROMOTING THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF ALL WOMEN

13. Concerns about women’s health
Overmedicalization of women’s normal life events
Psychiatrization of women’s concerns about their life circumstances
Failure to include women as subjects in research studies
Failure of research to address women’s health concerns
Paternalistic attitude of physicians

14. GENDER
Refers to the array of socially constructed roles and relationships, personality traits, attitudes, behaviours, values, relative power and influence that society ascribes to the two sexes on a differential basis
Varies from society to society and over time

15. Women’s health is adversely affected by:
Violence
HIV/aids
Depression
Substance abuse
Difficulty in accessing safe abortion
Stress
Dual roles
Inadequate housing
Poverty
Shameful conditions imposed on our aboriginal peoples

16. What I learned
The support of family and friends is critical. Nurture it and be nurtured by it.
Be credible, knowledgeable and honest.
Continue to learn, evolve and keep up with the literature.
Read the writings of social scientists and academics in women’s studies .
Believe in what you do.
Have “fire in your belly”.

17. What I learned (cont’d)
Listen to others, respect their point of view
Don’t waste your breathe on those who will not listen to evidence or logic.
Speak up for what you believe and against wrong-doing.
Find good mentors and be a mentor yourself.
Be aware of issues that need changing in the world beyond medicine and your own personal domain.
Always remember that health care cannot be seen in isolation from the society we live in.