DIGITAL LIBRARY
PERCEPTIONS OF THE GENDER IN CLINICAL TRAINING – A QUALITATIVE STUDY AMONG STUDENTS
1 University of Barcelona (SPAIN)
2 University of Cantabria (SPAIN)
3 Generalitat de Catalunya (SPAIN)
4 Universtiy of Deusto (SPAIN)
About this paper:
Appears in: INTED2025 Proceedings
Publication year: 2025
Pages: 4719-4723
ISBN: 978-84-09-70107-0
ISSN: 2340-1079
doi: 10.21125/inted.2025.1178
Conference name: 19th International Technology, Education and Development Conference
Dates: 3-5 March, 2025
Location: Valencia, Spain
Abstract:
Gender bias in medicine has been widely recognized as a significant determinant of health and illness. However, its impact on the daily practice of medicine is often underestimated. Research highlights that the biomedical focus medical training curricula is a major contributing factor to the gender bias observed among healthcare professionals.

This study employed a descriptive qualitative design and purposive sampling to recruit and interview 19 medical students (14 women and 5 men) from the University of Barcelona and the University of Cantabria (Spain). The interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded and categorized into thematic areas.

The findings revealed three key themes:
1. Lack of knowledge and training in gender issues.
2. Desired training content, such as understanding sex and gender differences across various clinical areas and learning to provide gender-sensitive care.
3. Gender-stereotyped thinking about male and female patients.

In conclusion, this study underscores the need gender-based training programs in medical studies. Enhancing the gender perspective in medical education could enable these professionals to deliver gender-sensitive care, thereby contributing to greater equity and equality in health services.

Consequently, integrating gender perspectives into medical education curricula is proposed as a qualitative investment to address this issue effectively.
Keywords:
Gender Sensitivity, Health Science, Higher Education.