Skip to main content

Women Physicians as Healers

  • Chapter
Women in Medicine

Abstract

Women and men are different. Sociologic literature provides much evidence of difference. Women think differently (Belenky et al 1986; Gilligan 1982), have different bodies, conduct their lives differently, and have fewer leadership roles in organizations. Differences between individual men and women may vary, but the groups as a whole show some characteristic differences.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Badger LW, Berbaum M, Carney PA, Dietrich AJ, et al. Physician-patient gender and the recognition and treatment of depression in primary care. J Social Serv Res 1999; 25:21–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belenky MF, Clinchy BMCV, Goldberger NR, Tarule JM. Women’s ways of knowing. Basic Books, New York, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bensing JM, Van Den Brink-Muinen A, De Bakker DH. Gender differences in practice style: a Dutch study of general practitioners. Med Care 1993; 31:219–229.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bergquist SR, Duchac BW, Schalin VA, et al. Perceptions of freshman medical students of gender differences in medical specialty choice. J Med Educ 1985; 60: 379–383.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bernzweig J, Takayama JI, Phibbs C, et al. Gender differences in physician-patient communication-evidence from pediatric visits. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1997; 151:586–591.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Best DL, Williams JE, Briggs SR. A further analysis of the affective meanings associated with male and female sex-trait stereotypes. Sex Roles 1980; 6(5):735–746.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouchard L, Renaud M. Female and male physicians’ attitudes toward prenatal diagnosis: a pan-Canadian survey. Soc Sci Med 1997; 44(3):381–392.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Britt H, Bhasale A, Miles DA, et al. The sex of the general practitioner-a comparison of characteristics, patients, and medical conditions managed. Med Care 1996; 34:403–415.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Broverman IK, Broverman DM, Clarkson FE, Rosenkrantz PS, Vogel SR. Sex-role stereotypes and clinical judgments of mental health. J Consult Clin Psychol 1970; 34(1):1–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Broverman IK, Vogel SR, Broverman DM, Clarkson FE, Rosenkrantz PS. Sex-role stereotypes: a current appraisal. J Soc Issues 1972; 28(2):59–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butler D, Geis FL. Nonverbal affect responses to male and female leaders: implications for leadership evaluations. J Pers Soc Psychol 1990; 58:48–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cartwright LK. Personality differences in male and female medical students. Psychiatry Med 1972;3:213–218.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chambers R, Campbell I. Gender differences in general practitioners at work. Br J Gen Pract 1996; 46:291–293.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Clark DC, Zeldow PB. Vicissitudes of depressed mood during four years of medical school. JAMA 1988; 260(17):2521–2528.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coplin JW, Williams JE. Women law students’ descriptions of self and the ideal lawyer. Psychol Women Q 1978; 2(4):323–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coulter A, Peto V, Doll H. Influence of sex of general practitioner on management of menorrhagia. Br J Gen Pract 1995; 45:471–475.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Crowson TW, Rich EC, Harris IB. A comparison of locus of control between men and women in an internal medicine residency. J Med Educ 1986; 61:840–841.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davis SW, Best DL, Marion G, Wall GH. Sex stereotypes in the self-and ideal descriptions of physician’s assistant student. J Med Educ 1984; 59:678–680.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deaux K, Emswiller T. Explanations of successful performance on sex-linked tasks: what is skill for the male is luck for the female. J Pers Soc Psychol 1974; 29(1): 80–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deaux K, White L, Farris E. Skills versus luck: field and laboratory studies of male and female preferences. J Pers Soc Psychol 1975; 32(4):629–636.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickinson GE, Pearson AA. Sex differences of physicians in relating to dying patients. J Am Med wom Assoc 1979; 34:45–47.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ellsbury K, Schneeweiss R, Montano DE, Gordon KC, Kuykendall D. Gender differences in practice characteristics of graduates of family medicine residencies. J Med Educ 1987; 62:895–903.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Engleman EG. Attitudes toward women physicians. A study of 500 clinic patients. West J Med 1974; 120:95–100.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ewing GB, Selassie AW, Lopez CH, Mccutcheon EP. Self-report of delivery of clinical preventive services by US physicians—comparing specialty, gender, age, setting of practice, and area of practice. Am J Prev Med 1999; 17(1):62–72.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Feather NT. Attribution of responsibility and valence of success and failure in relation to initial confidence and task performance. J Pers Soc Psychol 1969; 13(2):129–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feather NT, Simon JG. Reactions to male and female success and failure in sex-linked occupations: impressions of personality, causal attributions, and perceived likelihood of different consequences. J Pers Soc Psychol 1975; 31(1):20–31.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Feldman-Summers S, Kiesler SB. Those who are number two try harder: the effect of sex on attributions of causality. J Pers Soc Psychol 1974; 30(6):846–855.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fiorentine R. Men, women and the premed persistence gap: a normative alternatives approach. Am J Sociol 1987; 92(5):1118–1139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher H. Expert forecast: will women ever gain employment parity with men? The Wall Street Journal, January 1, 2000, p. R36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frank E, Harvey LK. Prevention advice rates of women and men physicians. Arch Fam Med 1996; 5:215–219.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Franks P, Clancy CM. Physician gender bias in clinical decision making: screening for cancer in primary care. Med Care 1993; 31:213–218.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frey J, Demick J, Bibace R. Variations in physicians’ feeling of control during a family practice residency. J Med Educ 1981; 56:50–56.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frieze IH, Whitley BE, Hanusa BH, Mchugh MC. Assessing the theoretical models for sex differences in causal attributions for success and failure. Sex Roles 1982; 8(4):333–343.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giles H, Williams JE. Medical students’ descriptions of self and ideal physician. Soc Sci Med 1979; 13A: 813–815.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gilligan C. In a different voice. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greer S, Dickerson V, Schneiderman LJ, et al. Responses of male and female physicians to medical complaints in male and female patients. J Fam Pract 1986; 23(1): 49–53.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gross W, Crovitz E. A comparison of medical students’ attitudes toward women and women medical students. J Med Educ 1975; 50:392–394.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hall JA, Irish JT, Roter DL, Ehrlich CM, Miller LH. Gender in medical encounters: an analysis of physician and patient communication in a primary care setting. Health Psychol 1994; 13:384–392.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hall JA, Palmer RH, Orav EJ, et al. Performance quality, gender and professional role—a study of physicians and nonphysicians in 16 ambulatory care practices. Med Care 1990; 28:489–501.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hartzema AG, Christensen DB. Nonmedical factors associated with the prescribing volume among family practitioners in an HMO. Med Care 1983; 21(10):990–1000.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Highlen PS, Gillis SF. Effects of situational factors, sex, and attitude on affective self-disclosure and anxiety. J Couns Psychol 1978; 25(4):270–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman DM, Fidell LS. Characteristics of androgynous, undifferentiated, masculine, and feminine middle-class women. Sex Roles 1979; 5(6):765–781.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman LW. Early childhood experiences and women’s achievement motives. J Social Issues 1972; 28(2):129–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hojat M, Gonnella JS, Xu G. Gender comparisons of young physicians’ perceptions of their medical education, professional life and practice: a follow-up study of Jefferson medical college graduates. Acad Med 1995; 70:305–312.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jacklin CN. Metholodogical issues in the study of sex-related differences. Dev Rev 1981; 1:266–273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kreuter MW, Strecher VJ, Harris R, Kobrin SC, Skinner CS. Are patients of women physicians screened more aggressively? J Gen Intern Med 1995; 10:119–125.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lenney E. Women’s self-confidence in achievement settings. Psychol Bull 1977; 84(1): 1–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leserman J. Men and women in medical school: how they change and how they compare. Praeger, New York, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levinson RM, Mccollum KT, Kutner NG. Gender homophily in preferences for physicians. Sex Roles 1984; 19:315–325.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levy S, Dowling P, Boult L, et al. The effect of physician and patient gender on preventive medicine pracices in patients older than fifty. Fam Med 1992; 24(1):58–61.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lorber J. Women physicians: careers, status, and power. Tavistock, New York, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lurie N, Margolis K, Mcgovern PG, Mink P. Physician self-report of comfort and skill in providing preventive care to patients of the opposite sex. Arch Fam Med 1998; 7(2):134–137.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lurie N, Margolis K, Mcgovern PG, Mink P, Slater JS. Why do patients of female physicians have higher rates of breast and cervical cancer screening? J Gen Intern Med 1997; 12(1):34–43.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lurie N, Slater J, Mcgovern P, et al. Preventive care for women: does the sex of the physician really matter? N Engl J Med 1993; 329:478–482.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maheux B, Dufort F, Beland F. Professional and sociopolitical attitudes of medical students: gender differences reconsidered. J Am Med Worn Assoc 1988; 43(3):73–76.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maheux B, Dufort F, Beland F, Jacques A, Levesque A. Female medical practitioners: more preventive and patient oriented? Med Care 1990; 28:87–92.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Majeroni BA, Karuza J, Wade C, et al. Gender of physicians and patients and preventive care for community-based older adults. J Am Board Fam Pract 1993; 6: 359–365.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mcgee MG. Human spatial abilities: psychometric studies and environmental, genetic, hormonal, and neurological influences. Psychol Bull 1979; 86(5):889–918.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Medica. Women doctors sued less often. Medica 1983; winter:29–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitka M. Women doctor’ liability premiums edging closer to men’ s. Am Med News October 21, 1991, p. 14.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, United States, 1977. Characteristics of visits to female and male physicians. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Office of Health Research, Statistics and Technology, National Center for Health Statistics. Publication no. (PHS) 80-1710, Hyattsville, MD, June 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, United States, January 1980a–December 1981a. Patterns of ambulatory care in general and family practice. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Center for Health Statistics. Publication no. (PHS) 83-1734, Hyattsville, MD, September 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, United States, January 1980b–December 1981b. Patterns of ambulatory care in pediatrics. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Center for Health Statistics. Publication no. (PHS) 84-1736, Hyattsville, MD, October 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, United States, January 1980c–December 1981c. Patterns of ambulatory care in obstetrics and gynecology. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Center for Health Statistics. Publication No. (PHS) 84-1737, Hyattsville, MD, February 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogle KS, Henry RC, Durda K, Zivick JD. Gender-specific differences in family practice graduates. J Fam Pract 1986; 23(4):357–360.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Restak R. We need more cheap, docile women doctors. Washington Post, April 27, 1986. p CI, C4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rezler AG, Buckley JM. A comparison of personality types among female student health professionals. J Med Educ 1977; 52:475–477.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rlessman CK. Interview effects in psychiatric epidemiology: a study of medical and lay interviewers and their impact on reported symptoms. Am J Public Health 1979;69(5):485–491.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roessler R, Collins F, Mefferd RB Jr. Sex similarities in successful medical school applicants. J Am Med Worn Assoc 1975; 30(6):254–265.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roter D, Lipkin M, Korsgaard. Sex differences in patients’ and physicians’ communication during primary care medical visits. Med Care 1991; 29:1083–1093.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schueneman Al, Plckleman J, Freeark Rj. Age, gender, lateral dominance, and prediction of operative skill among general surgery residents. Surgery 1985; 98(3): 506–513.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seto TB, Taira DA, Davis RB, et al. Effect of physician gender on the prescription of estrogen replacement therapy. J Gen Intern Med 1996; 11:197–203.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro J, Mcgrath E, Anderson RC. Patients’, medical students’, and physicians’ perceptions of male and female physicians. Percept Motor Skills 1983; 56:179–190.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sloan FA, Mergenhagen PM, Burfield WB, et al. Medical malpractice experience of physicians: predictable or haphazard? JAMA 1989; 262(23):3291–3297.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weisman CS, Nathanson CA, Teitelbaum MA, Chase GA, King TM. Abortion attitudes and performance among male and female obstetrician-gynecologists. Fam Plann Perspect 1986; 18(2):67–73.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weisman CS, Nathanson CA, Teitelbaum MA, Chase GA, King TM. Delivery of fertility control services by male and female obstetrician-gynecologists. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1987; 156:464–469.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weisman CS, Teitelbaum MA. Physician gender and the physician-patient relationship: recent evidence and relevant questions. Soc Sei Med 1985; 20( 11): 1119–1127.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • West C. Reconceptualizing gender in physician-patient relationships. Soc Sei Med 1993; 36:57–66.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Williams JE, Best DL. Sex stereotypes in education, occupation, and mental health. In: Williams JE, Best DL, eds. Measuring sex stereotypes: a thirty nation study. Sage, New York, 1982: 289–303.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wllloughby L, Calkins V, Arnold L. Different predictors of examination performance for male and female medical students. J Am Med Worn Assoc 1979; 34(8): 316–320.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young JW. Symptom disclosure to male and female physicians: effects of sex, physical attractiveness, and symptom type. J Behav Med 1979; 2(2): 159–169.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zare N, Sorenson JR, Heeren T. Sex of provider as a variable in effective genetic counseling. Soc Sei Med 1984; 19(7):671–675.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2002 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Bowman, M.A., Frank, E. (2002). Women Physicians as Healers. In: Women in Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0031-1_14

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0031-1_14

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-95309-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-0031-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics