Why do male gynaecologists and obstetricians choose their profession?

It’s a question that has caused a fiery debate after Nikki Gemmell, a journalist for The Australian, explored the topic in an article for the publication.

In the story, a female doctor said men choose either profession because “they hate women, and like to see them in pain”, sparking Gemmell to question, “Is it really a job for a man?”

Gemmell also reported examples of inappropriate actions and comments from male doctors.

She explained that two friends who’d recently had their second babies remarked on what they thought were inappropriate comments or actions from male doctors.

“He gave me stitches without even asking me — he was so … invasive. And patronising,” the woman was quoted as saying.

BACKLASH

Doctors and patients have since responded, referring to Gemmell’s article as “idiotic”, “sexist” and “ill-informed”.

Many women have also taken to social media to weigh in on the debate, backing male gynaecologists.

“Apologies to all the fabulous male gynaecologists and obstetricians. This article decries the wonderful job you do,” one woman posted on Facebook.

“I underwent major surgery for an ovarian cyst that would have been more disastrous, if not for the efforts of my gynaecologist. ‘Is it really a job for a man?’ How about: ‘Does he/she have the professional experience, competency and care for this job?’,” a female patient commented, adding “Don’t base the qualifications on gender. That’s so blindly idiotic.”

“What a load of rubbish! I had a male obstetrician for both my births and I trusted him absolutely … come to think of it, my children’s gentle paediatrician, all my surgeons and specialists have been male too, and I have always been treated carefully and respectfully,” another woman said.

A male obstetrician also commented on the story, saying he too was baffled.

“Thank you for all the supportive comments. I have never regretted my career choice, and remain constantly in awe of women and their families as they negotiate the joy and challenge of creating a family. The power is with them, not us!”

RESPONSE

Gemmell appeared on the Today show this morning and said there was a big misunderstanding and her intention was not to downplay or undermine the trust and good work of male doctors in the medical field.

When asked if she went too far, Gemmell said her column was written in response to two very high profile cases in Australia involving male gynaecologists that have performed unnecessary, invasive, butchering techniques on women.

“The medical fraternity took a long time to react to both these cases. I was just interested — and also quoted a male gynaecologist who said the reason why he went into the profession was to get close to the whole source and mystery of life — and for many gynaecologists the motivation is, it’s an incredibly happy profession to be in.”

Gemmell said what she has found fascinating was, within all of this, the “very quiet, very honest” letters she received from women often in country areas who had no choice but to have a male gynaecologist.

“The good thing is more and more women are coming into this profession (80 per cent) so I feel my column has come at time when there is a huge change in this profession.”

“Some women, certainly not all women, are saying we actually want female rather than male doctors involved in this very intimate and often invasive world for us — it’s just an opinion.”

‘SEXIST’ JUDGEMENT

However, 3AW radio presenter Neil Mitchell said he was not surprised there had been backlash and misunderstanding with the piece having offended many professionals.

“Of course it would offend some male doctors because you are saying some of them would have gone into it because they enjoy inflicting pain on women,” Mitchell said on the Today show.

Gemmell fired back saying she didn’t say that and it was a female doctor she was quoting.

“Well you ran around that theory, that some males want to be gynaecologist or obstetrician to inflict pain on women,” Mitchell responded.

Mitchell agreed that the medical profession was slow in addressing problems, however he said overall, the piece was essentially a “sexist judgement”.

“If I said I do not want a female doctor conducting an examination on me a lot of people would say ‘Oh c’mon that’s illogical, that’s sexist’.

“It’s still basically sexist that’s why there’s this reaction.

“But what I will say is as a man I find it difficult to understand every couple of years men go through prostate examinations and whinge like hell about it. Now, what women are undergoing, through more regular forms of intrusive examinations, is something men can’t really appreciate or understand.”

Mitchell said he was quite happy to consult a female doctor about anything, when asked the question.

Gemmell made the point for people to read the column, before passing judgment.

“I feel enlightened from women who have felt concerns about this and there’s a lot of them out there, also from a lot of men within the profession,” Gemmell told the Today show.

“I say bring it on, it’s really interesting to have this out in the open.”