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Student Careers

“GAMMS”: - Go away, male medical student

BMJ 2006; 332 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/sbmj.0603112 (Published 01 March 2006) Cite this as: BMJ 2006;332:0603112
  1. Alexander J Hamilton, fifth year medical student1
  1. 1Imperial College London

With the number of doctors opting for careers in obstetrics and gynaecology dwindling, Alexander Hamilton expresses his views about male medical students being turned away from clinical examinations

Anyone who has read Samuel Shem's novel The House of God will remember the insensitive but memorable term GOMERS (Get out of my emergency room). I have coined a new acronym — the GAMMS (Go away, male medical student). GAMMS describes the exasperating patients who refuse dashing young students from observing their most intimate areas and the invasive techniques that doctors apply to them, to the detriment of medical education, solely because the student is male. They are the polar opposite to SALs (student allowing ladies), who heroically expose their nether regions to the speculum wielding student, promoting experiential learning.

Acronym applies to both sexes

You may have noticed the acronym can be applied to either sex. This is because, in my experience, the husband or partner is often more active in refusing a medical student than the woman patient herself. Recently I experienced this kind of rejection first hand: a midwife introduced me to a couple in advanced labour. I attempted my usual rapport building conversation, and when the midwife asked the million dollar question—“May he observe the birth?”— the husband shouted “No!” I felt like reminding him I was actually standing right in front of him, and that he did not need to shout, but instead I fled as the baby decided to crown. I was terrified that I had spoiled their birth experience and felt guilty that my request had provoked such a strong reaction.

Currently only 0.2% of newly qualified male doctors are choosing obstetrics and gynaecology as their chosen clinical specialty, and as 90% of UK registrars did their training outside the United Kingdom1 fresh British male input is sorely needed. …

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