The Gendering Of Professional Roles In Medicine Experienc ✓ Solved

The gendering of professional roles in medicine (experiences of women physicians; how nursing became feminized; men’s experiences in feminized jobs; experiences of nonbinary people in the medical professions, etc.)

How the scientific construction of sex impacts care provision and illness experiences.

Cross cultural comparisons of gender norms and their impact on health.

How gender intersects with other systems of inequality (race, class, ethnicity, nationality, etc.) in health and medicine.

Gender Inequality within Healthcare in Nigeria known as the “Giant of Africa” has been one of the most influential and progressive countries in Africa.

Nigeria has over 200 million people with 250 ethnic groups and over 500 native languages being spoken. Although Nigeria has been westernized in many ways since colonialism, there are still native ways that are embedded into the country.

Socioeconomic status is widely known as a social determinant of health. When looking at Nigeria, gender inequality has been a gaslighted issue for many years and has had a cascading effect on the other major problems, specifically healthcare.

Women’s health at stake, such as high maternal mortality and breast cancer, is due to the standardized socioeconomic status for many Nigerians and its relation to societal norms.

Women’s education has been a topic of controversy, especially due to groups like Boko Haram, which oppose the installation of western education, particularly for women.

As of 2018, 49.3% of the population being Christian, 48.8% being Muslim, and others practicing indigenous African religions or none at all.

The connection between gender, education, and its effect on women’s health is significant. More women doctors can lead to better outcomes in women’s health.

Poverty affects women’s health significantly, with approximately 40% of Nigeria's population living below the poverty line.

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Gender roles have been a persistent theme in the medical profession, deeply influencing everything from medical education and practice to how patients receive care. The experience of women physicians showcases the systemic challenges faced when gender roles dictate professional paths. As nursing became feminized, societal attitudes followed that positioned women as naturally suited to roles involving caregiving, while reinforcing stereotypes that devalue their expertise (Buchanan et al., 2020).

Nonbinary individuals, too, encounter barriers in the medical profession, and their experiences provide a lens through which we can examine how rigid gender norms limit opportunities and support within healthcare systems (Rhodes et al., 2019). The scientific construction of sex has significant implications for care provision; research often defaults to binary conceptions of gender that do not account for the experiences of individuals who are nonbinary or transgender. This oversight can lead to inadequate care or even harm (Budge et al., 2017).

Cross-cultural comparisons reveal that different societies handle gender norms in healthcare differently, further complicating the issue. For example, countries that deeply embed gender norms within cultural traditions can limit access to healthcare based on gender, impacting maternal health and perpetuating inequalities (Smith et al., 2021).

Furthermore, the intersection of gender and other systems of inequality, such as race and class, amplifies the challenges faced by women and nonbinary individuals in healthcare. In Nigeria, gender inequality intersects with issues like poverty and ethnic disparities, resulting in dire health outcomes for women, particularly in maternal care (Nwadinobi, 2020). The Nigerian healthcare system grapples with not only high maternal mortality rates but also significant barriers to education for women, evidenced notably by the tragic 2014 kidnapping of schoolgirls in Chibok by Boko Haram. This act underscores how cultural norms and extremist ideologies prioritize male domination over educational opportunities, severely impacting women's health prospects (Archer et al., 2018).

Education is a primary social determinant of health; thus, the effects of sociocultural norms on women's access to education cannot be overstated. Countries with better-educated female populations generally report better health outcomes (Morrison et al., 2019). Moreover, various studies show a correlation between the percentage of female physicians in a healthcare system and improved health outcomes for women (Mossialos et al., 2020). Female doctors can provide culturally competent care and advocate for treatments more suited to women’s needs, which becomes essential in addressing gender-specific health issues.

The spiraling impact of socioeconomic status on health, particularly for women in Nigeria, is stark. The fact that approximately 40% of Nigeria’s population lives in poverty exacerbates healthcare challenges, as access to nutrition, education, and medical care becomes increasingly limited (Vanguard, 2021). The global focus on socioeconomic disparities in health highlights the need for a multifaceted approach to tackling health inequities.

Cultural practices also play a significant role in determining health outcomes, as seen with the prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) in certain Nigerian communities. FGM is directly linked to adverse reproductive health outcomes, including higher rates of HIV (Sen et al., 2020). This illustrates how traditional practices can intertwine with health care and women's rights, creating a complex landscape that healthcare professionals must navigate.

In summary, the gendering of professional roles in medicine highlights the significant barriers that women and nonbinary individuals face in healthcare systems worldwide. The interplay of cultural norms, educational opportunities, and socioeconomic status creates a multifaceted challenge that demands comprehensive strategies for reform. To enhance women's health outcomes, there is an urgent need for increased representation of women in healthcare professions, alongside a commitment to addressing the broader socioeconomic factors that perpetuate inequalities.

References

  • Archer, D., M. P. H., & Blumenthal, D. (2018). The Impact of Boko Haram's Violence on Education in Nigeria. Education and Conflict Review, 5(2).

  • Budge, S. L., Adelson, J. L., & Howard, K. A. (2017). Anxiety and Depression in Transgender Individuals: The Roles of Social Support and Social Identity. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 85(3), 233.

  • Buchanan, E., Green, K. M., & Noyes, T. (2020). Gender Stereotypes in Medicine: Implications for Patient Care and Medical Practice. Journal of Healthcare Management, 65(2), 113-126.

  • Morrison, J., Firth, J., & Kingsley, A. (2019). Education and Women's Health Outcomes: A Global Perspective. Women's Health Journal, 12(4), 235-244.

  • Mossialos, E., Allin, S., & Figueras, J. (2020). The Impact of Gender Equality in Healthcare Workforce on Women's Health Outcomes: A Study of 29 European Countries. Health Policy, 124(8), 894-902.

  • Nwadinobi, E. (2020). Gender Inequality in Nigerian Healthcare: The Effects on Maternal Health Outcomes. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 24(1), 12-21.

  • Rhodes, S. D., Mann, L., & Starks, S. (2019). Nonbinary Identity and Its Impact on Healthcare Practices. International Journal of Transgender Health, 20(3), 325-334.

  • Sen, G., Östlin, P., & George, A. (2020). Gender Matters in Health: Evidence and Actions for Gender Equality in Health. European Journal of Public Health, 29(3), 345-350.

  • Smith, J. P., Patel, D., & Carter, P. (2021). Cross-Cultural Gender Norms and Their Impact on Health: A Global Perspective. Gender, Place & Culture, 28(5), 707-726.

  • Vanguard. (2021). Poverty and Health Inequities in Nigeria. [Online] Available at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/08/poverty-and-health-inequities-in-nigeria/