Exploring Gender Variation in Medical Student Professional Identity Development: A Longitudinal Study Through the Career Eulogy Perspective

Authors

William J. Crump, Univ of LouisvilleFollow
Sarah M. Fisher, University of Louisville Trover CampusFollow
Ronald R. Gilley, University of Louisville Trover CampusFollow
Whitney T. Gilley, New Directions PsychiatryFollow
Craig Ziegler, University of LouisvilleFollow

Author Credentials

William J. Crump, M.D. Sarah M. Fisher, M.D. Ronald Reagan Gilley, M.D. Whitney T. Gilley, M.D. Craig Ziegler, PhD.

Keywords

gender differences; medical student professional identity formation

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

Background

Empathy towards patients is a key component of a physician's professional identity. In longitudinal studies at their campus, the authors of this study observed that women had higher empathy scores as measured by a standard Likert scale survey; however, the differences were insignificant in most training years.

Methods

In this larger study, the authors confirmed this finding and used a career eulogy projective exercise to explore gender differences in professional identity formation more deeply than a Likert scale score. The study included 76 medical students from all 4 years of training at a rural, regional medical school campus in the upper Southeast of the United States.

Results

The authors found that women emphasized quality themes more than men after the third year of medical school (M3). Women also mentioned passion themes more after the first year of medical school (post-M1) and had significantly more mentions of compassion themes upon entering medical school. Women consistently mentioned patient relationship themes more across all years of medical school, particularly after the second year (post-M2). Both genders mentioned themes of enjoying life equally, except after the second year, when men mentioned these themes significantly more. Women mentioned community themes significantly less after the first year (post-M1). Family themes were mentioned equally by both genders.

Conclusion

Using stereotypes of gender roles in the Southern U.S. as a reference point, the authors suggest some possible interpretations of these findings, noting significant differences from previously published gender differences. The career eulogy exercise proved to be a valuable tool for examining professional identity formation in detail.

Recommended Citation

Crump WJ, Fisher SM, Gilley RR, Gilley WT, Ziegler C. Exploring Gender Variation in Medical Student Professional Identity Development: A Longitudinal Study Through the Career Eulogy Perspective. Marshall J Med. 2024; 10(3) DOI: https://doi.org/10.33470/2379-9536.1414.