Patients have more power than they may realize

A pediatrician husband recently wrote here in KevinMD about the stark differences in assumptions about work-life balance for men and women, in “What does your husband think of you being a surgeon?”  Then I came across another article on Medscape by a male cardiologist, whose wife is also a physician, entitled, “The gender gap in cardiology is embarrassing.” Both men’s wives delayed their medical training, and these husbands bore witness to our culture’s implicit gender bias against their life partners.  I strongly encourage you to read both pieces; they are short and poignant. Now, consider how much more weight and influence these pieces carry, simply because they are written by men.  If you find this difficult, imagine your internal response if they had been written from the women’s perspectives.  Which position is more likely to evoke, “Hmm, interesting,” as opposed to, “What are these women whining about?” When we consider advocacy, it’s fair to think of it as those with more power and influence using these advantages to champion those who have less.  Sure, the less powerful and influential can and do advocate for themselves, but without allies among the advantaged, the message and movement stall and stutter.  Consider slavery and the Civil Rights Movement.  If it were only ever black people advocating for themselves, what would the American racial landscape would look like today?  Think about women’s rights.  There is a r...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Physician Primary Care Public Health & Policy Washington Watch Source Type: blogs