Discrimination against men

Editor - If a patient refused to be clerked by me because I was Chinese, people would immediately say that was racist and such an attitude would not be tolerated. Yet there is another discrimination out there that I am sure many of my colleagues have also faced: being a bloke. Having done an obstetrics and gynaecology firm along with a breast surgery firm, I have noticed that the attitude of many of the women was quite bad. I have missed out on many vital learning opportunities because women either refused an examination, delivery, or even a history to be taken. I understand that it might be embarrassing for them, but then again, doctors do need to come from somewhere. What if I am a budding obstetrician or gynaecologist? Will my negative experiences deter me from that field of medicine? Gone are the days when medical students could freely learn from patients, with the patient's right to refuse, and only the future can tell how good our doctors will be.

John Ho, John Ho fourth year medical student, St George's Hospital Medical School
Email: sgms561@sghms.ac.uk


studentBMJ 2000;08:303-346 September ISSN 0966-6494