Having read an article in the BMJ (dated 5/4/8) on the feminisation
of the medical profession, I must take issue with one of Dr McKinstry's
comments.
He wrote 'empathy and communication skills are important but so are
efficiency and the ability to live with risk.' Is he implying that female
Drs, are, by-and-large, inefficient and unable to live with risk ?
Instead of presenting a sensible and cogent argument for balancing up the
medical profession he has come across as arrogant and out-of-touch with
the reality of day-to-day general practice. He is mistaken in his belief
that a female Dr who consults more slowly than another Dr, male or female,
sees fewer patients. She (or indeed he) actually has a shorter tea-
break/lunch-break/administration time.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests:
No competing interests
07 April 2008
Helen J Miller
Full-time GP Partner
Tain and District Medical Group, Scotsburn Road,Tain,IV19 1PR
Rapid Response:
Are there too many female Drs?
Having read an article in the BMJ (dated 5/4/8) on the feminisation of the medical profession, I must take issue with one of Dr McKinstry's comments.
He wrote 'empathy and communication skills are important but so are efficiency and the ability to live with risk.' Is he implying that female Drs, are, by-and-large, inefficient and unable to live with risk ?
Instead of presenting a sensible and cogent argument for balancing up the medical profession he has come across as arrogant and out-of-touch with the reality of day-to-day general practice. He is mistaken in his belief that a female Dr who consults more slowly than another Dr, male or female, sees fewer patients. She (or indeed he) actually has a shorter tea- break/lunch-break/administration time.
Competing interests: None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests