Gender medicine attitudes among medical students: An Italian cross-sectional study

Abstract

We aimed to explore attitudes and training experiences of medical students toward gender medicine (GM). A cross-sectional study with convenience sampling was conducted (sample size = 430). To assess predictors of high GM consideration in patient management, a multivariable logistic regression was performed. A total of 82% considered sex and gender important; 61% stated that they would use GM skills in their careers. A total of 76% had never discussed GM with their tutors, with differences between male and female students (p = .002). Predictors of high GM consideration were: age (adjOR = 1.4, 95%CI = 1.1–1.8) and the impression that tutors considered patients’ sex and gender during practice (adjOR = 3.9, 95%CI = 2.0–7.6). Thus, participants considered GM important, but some students were unsure whether it could be useful in practice. The strongest predictor of high GM consideration was the tutors’ good example during training. It would be advisable to implement the teaching of this topic during both courses and traineeships.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.