Women's health and gender bias in medical education

Gender bias in medical knowledge and practice is an issue of longstanding significance for women's health scholars and activists alike. This paper assesses the current status of medical education, where gender bias has the potential to influence the culture and process of medical care, and focuses on three areas of concern: the presence and participation of women as medical students and faculty, the problem of gender bias in the content of medical curricula and training programs, and the friendliness for both men and women of the climate and environment of medical education. Significant change has occurred over the past several decades in the admission of women into medicine; yet, women remain under represented in positions of leadership and decision authority. In the 1990s, the content of the medical curriculum began to be evaluated in terms of gender, and a number of the resulting changes were implemented. Additionally, recent attention has been placed on improving the gender friendliness of medical school policies and resources. While these developments signal a decrease in gender bias and greater equality in medical education, the ability of the medical profession to continue to address these issues is being challenged by the increasingly powerful private health care economy.