Can you solve this puzzle?
A boy is in a car accident and is rushed to the emergency room, where emergency surgery is needed. The surgeon comes into the operating room, but says, “I can’t operate on this child. He’s my son.” The surgeon is not the boy’s father. Who is the surgeon? (Think about it before you scroll down.)
Did you have any trouble figuring out that the surgeon is the boy’s mother? If that answer didn’t come to you, does that surprise you?
Don’t think that we’re beyond that sort of bias… a few years ago, I got an announcement from a psychiatry organization that a dinner was for “doctors and their wives.” (Yes, I sent a letter to the editor about that!)
September is Women in Medicine month. So for today’s Monday Chat, I thought I’d ask a few questions…
- Do you have a preference for a female or male doctor?
- Do you think there are, in general, differences between male and female doctors?
- Do you think women doctors are more empathic?
- Would you let a female neurosurgeon operate on you?
Share what you think in the comments…
Reminder: September Pain-Blog Carnival submissions due by 9/26.
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3 responses so far ↓
Maureen // Sep 22, 2008 at 6:06 pm
I want to state for the record I got the question right!!
That aside I have to say I have had good and bad experiences with doctors of both sexes. I remember in particular having the worst time with women doctors regarding the pain I was in due to endometriosis, and it was a male doctor who finally helped me. I have also had the reverse be true in other situations. I had a wonderful internist/endocrinologist who was female and really listened to my symptoms and complaints, never making me feel that things were “all in my head”.
I think the bigger question is how the doctors we are turning out of medical school are trained to listen, empathize and treat. I know it isn’t only the fault of the doctors, but of a system that asks them to spend ridiculously small amounts of time with each patient in order to meet quotas set by insurance companies, etc…
What I want is a doctor, male or female, who listens to me, believes what I have to say and can communicate with me what they feel will be the best course of treatment for me. If they treat me with respect and courtesy, their sex has no influence on my choice of provider.
Thanks for the interesting topic and for letting me have my two cents!
Maureen
Http://Beingchronicallyillisapill.blogspot.com
How to Cope with Pain // Sep 22, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Maureen, good points. I agree with you 100% on needing enough time to provide good medical care - part of which is forming a relationship with your patient. I left a previous job because I thought it was unsafe how little time was allowed for me and my residents to see patients.
One reason why I went into psych is the opportunity to spend time with patients. And SO needed with patients with pain, especially complicated cases.
Thanks for your thougthts.
emily // Sep 24, 2008 at 8:06 pm
i don’t have a preference as far as male/female doctors. i can honestly say that i’ve never noticed a difference in general empathy between the sexes. my favorite doctor - one who was honest and caring - was a man. but i can’t think of one reason i wouldn’t want a woman to operate on me.
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