"Doctor" Badge Promotes Accurate Role Identification and Reduces Gender-Based Aggressions in Female Resident...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Professionalism
• Gender Studies in Medicine

Background:

• Role misidentification is a prevalent issue in hospital settings.
• Female resident physicians disproportionately experience misidentification as non-physicians.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of "doctor" badges on role identification and gender-based aggressions among resident physicians.
• To assess differences in workplace experiences between male and female residents.

Main Methods:

• A pre-post survey design was employed with 26 psychiatry residents at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
• Participants anonymously reported experiences with role identification and gender-based aggressions before and after the implementation of "doctor" badges.

Main Results:

• Females reported significantly higher rates of role misidentification and gender-based aggressions than males.
• The introduction of "doctor" badges significantly decreased misidentification and gender-based aggressions for female residents.
• No significant changes in role misidentification or gender-based aggressions were observed for male residents.

Conclusions:

• "Doctor" badges are an effective intervention for improving role identification and reducing gender-based aggressions among female resident physicians.
• This intervention has the potential to enhance workplace experiences, patient communication, and overall care.
• Addressing gender-based disparities in healthcare settings requires targeted interventions.