Female participation or "feminization" of medicine

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Romanian Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Sexual and reproductive health is a critical aspect of medical education, yet significant knowledge gaps persist even among future healthcare professionals. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes of Romanian medical students regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and contraceptive practices. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 510 undergraduate medical students, using a validated 30-item online questionnaire assessing socio-demographic data, sexual behaviors, STI knowledge, and attitudes towards sexual health. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and Spearman correlation tests were used to analyze the data. Results: Participants demonstrated a good understanding of common STI pathogens and transmission routes, with 99.02% identifying unprotected vaginal intercourse as a risk factor. However, only 58.82% correctly identified Chlamydia trachomatis, and awareness of less common pathogens remained low. Long-term complications such as infertility (85.29%) and cervical cancer (87.25%) were well recognized, although misconceptions about STI severity persisted, with over 40% believing that STIs are not dangerous because they are treatable. Male students reported earlier sexual debut and more frequent high-risk behaviors, while females were more likely to consult specialist doctors and receive HPV vaccination. The level of knowledge correlated positively with parental education and faculty program. Conclusions: Despite generally high awareness of STI-related topics, considerable gaps and misconceptions persist among Romanian medical students. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive, structured sexual health education integrated into medical curricula to ensure future healthcare providers are well-equipped to promote public health.

Neurointervention-from entry to expertise: Examining gender bias across different training access routes in Europe

Background/purposeGender bias in academic medicine has been widely described. In Europe, training and career pathways in neurointervention (NI) are heterogeneous. We hypothesize that the access route to neuroradiology specialty and NI subspecialty may correlate with the proportion of women in the field and with their career progression.MethodsAn online survey consisting of 18 questions was distributed through European professional societies and several online social platforms. A total of 422 responses from 54 different countries were collected and statistically evaluated.ResultsAccess routes to specialty and subspecialty did not correlate with the number of women practicing NI. However, men were significantly more likely to have children, to occupy leading positions, to have more clinical experience and higher weekly workload both in diagnostic and interventional neuroradiology. Female gender significantly affected career progression.ConclusionThis study reflects a positive change in European reality concerning gender bias. Distinct training access routes do not seem to affect the proportion of female neurointerventionalists. However, gender differences still negatively impact women NI careers, leading to lower workload, having less children, and a limited access to leading positions in NI.

Effects of Gender and Country of Training on Perceived Access to Opportunities for Neurosurgical Research and Gender-Concordant Mentorship

BACKGROUND

The current neurosurgical workforce is not large enough to address the significant burden of neurosurgical disease worldwide, and women are under-represented in this surgical specialty. However, trainee opportunities are particularly scarce in lower- and middle-income countries, where the burden of neurosurgical disease is high. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to assess the effects of gender and country on perceived access to neurosurgical research and mentorship opportunities.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey evaluating perceived access to neurosurgical research and mentorship opportunities was distributed electronically to medical students and unspecialized residents in 10 countries (Colombia, India, Ghana, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Uganda, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Venezuela).

RESULTS

34.0% of men versus 24.9% of women reported interest in neurosurgery (P < 0.001). Only 16.1% of trainees reported adequate access to neurosurgical research opportunities, which did not vary by gender overall (P = 0.070). However, more women reported inadequate access in the United States (P = 0.038), and more men reported inadequate access in Colombia (P = 0.043). In Colombia (P < 0.001), Nigeria (P = 0.003), Saudi Arabia (P = 0.038), the United States (P = 0.004), and Venezuela (P < 0.001), a lower proportion of women than men reported ever having a neurosurgery mentor of their same gender. 59.0% of female respondents noted that having access to female neurosurgeon mentors would increase their interest in neurosurgery, compared to 28.5% of male respondents (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

More male than female medical trainees in the surveyed countries reported interest in neurosurgery. However, access to adequate neurosurgical research opportunities, although relatively low overall, did not vary by gender in most countries. Access to gender-concordant mentorship was less common for women than for men, but women expressed that enhanced access to female neurosurgeon mentors would increase their interest in the field. These findings suggest potential avenues for intervention to augment and diversify the global neurosurgical workforce.

Awareness and Knowledge About Preconception Healthcare: A Cross-Sectional Study of Early Years UAE Medical Students

Background: Preconception health is critical for improving maternal and child health. The main objective of the study was to explore medical students' health habits, quality of life, and knowledge of preconception healthcare. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study between 15 March 2023 and 31 May 2024 among medical students at United Arab Emirates University. To determine awareness and knowledge of preconception health, we administered a survey consisting of an author's questionnaire with 35 questions covering sociodemographic characteristics and general knowledge of preconception health, as well as the WHO Quality of Life Scale-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Results: The participants were predominantly under 25 years old (98.5%), Emirati (91.1%), single (92.6%), and female (95.8%); only 3.4% had been pregnant before. Regarding health awareness and behaviors, a significant number of females (58.0%) had never visited a gynecologist. The majority of students (72.4%) participated in sports activities. The overall level of knowledge was low, with a mean level of 7.5 (SD = 6.36) out of 24. The Internet (webpages, blogs, webinars) (64.5%) was the major source of knowledge regarding healthcare information, followed by social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram) and mobile applications (57.5%), books (48.6%), and family members (57.0%). There was a statistically significant correlation between knowledge levels and the Internet (p < 0.004) or family (p < 0.001) as a source of knowledge. Additionally, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between knowledge and quality of life across all four WHOQOL domains. Conclusions: Medical knowledge might positively affect general well-being. Fostering stronger social networks and support systems could benefit preconceptional awareness and knowledge.

What Matters Most: Determinants Associated with the Selection of Medical Residencies in Qatar

Purpose

There have been several studies into medical student career decision making in occidental countries (eg US, UK), but medical career selection in a Middle Eastern context has not been as well studied. This study aims to explore determinants underpinning medical students' residency choice in Qatar.

Patients and methods

During the Fall semester of the 2022-2023 academic year, all (n=358) medical students from the College of Medicine at Qatar University were invited to participate in an online explorative questionnaire about students' career choices and the factors determining their selection.

Results

Of the 358 students, 184 responded (51%). Respondents had a mean age of 20 years; the majority were female (73.9%), Qatari (54.3%), unmarried (97.3%), and enrolled in a pre-clerkship year (55.0%). The most important career determinant was specialty-specific factors. The relative importance of other determinants differed by gender and stage of training. Among our respondents, male students were more likely to rate role models and influencers as being important to their choice, while female students and Qatari students overall were more likely to cite societal obligation. Medical students in Qatar seemed to have career preferences in mind upon entry into medical education. Later-year students were more likely to identify the importance of work-life balance and place of practice, but were less likely to rank prestige and income as an important determinant.

Conclusion

The results of this baseline study suggest that socioeconomic and cultural context influence medical student career decisions.

Leadership Inequity, Burnout, and Lower Engagement of Women in Medicine

Gender parity has been reached in graduation rates from medical school, yet women in medicine continue to face obstacles in promotion, compensation and opportunities, leading to leadership inequity, higher burnout and lower engagement. These complex issues with gender are just one aspect of the wide challenges related to diversity, equity and inclusion among medical professionals. While there are no "one size fits all" approaches, psychologists are well positioned to lead efforts related to promoting leadership equity, reducing burnout and raising engagement because of their training in communication skills, programmatic development and empathetic listening. This paper details several evidence-based efforts in which psychologists can lead in these ongoing issues for women in medicine.