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Gender and Racialization Status of Medical Eponym Namesakes: Cross-sectional Study
Nishaant Bhambra1, Sarah Waicus2, Navindra Persaud3,4,5
1Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
|March 4, 2024
Summary
Most medical eponyms honor white men, reflecting historical exclusion of women and racialized individuals in medicine. This study highlights the need to re-evaluate eponym use to ensure inclusivity.
Area of Science:
- Medical History
- Sociology of Medicine
- Health Equity
Background:
- Medical eponyms often originate from historical periods marked by the exclusion of women and racialized individuals from medical practice.
- This historical context raises concerns about the continued use of eponyms and their potential to perpetuate bias.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the gender and racialization status of individuals whose names are used in medical eponyms.
- To assess the representation of diverse groups within medical nomenclature.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on medical eponyms sourced from Whonamedit, Mosby's Medical Dictionary, and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).
- Gender and racialization of eponym namesakes were determined through available visual and textual information.
Main Results:
- Analysis of 3484 unique eponyms revealed that white men constitute the vast majority (94.1%) of namesakes.
- White women (3.7%), racialized men (2.1%), and racialized women (0.1%) were significantly underrepresented.
- A similar pattern was observed in the ICD-10 sub-analysis, with white men comprising 92.6% of eponyms.
Conclusions:
- The findings underscore the profound underrepresentation of women and racialized individuals in medical eponyms.
- The continued use of these eponyms may reinforce sexism and racism within the medical field.
- Re-evaluating the use of medical eponyms is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and equitable healthcare environment.
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