Males in Pediatrics

[McGillGrad]

I searched this topic and saw some old threads but they didn't cover a few things.

I was having a friendly conversation with a group of parents whilst they were waiting to have a 'group teaching' session with my attending and I brought up my application for peds.

I specifically asked whether my gender was a factor in choosing a pediatrician and most had no reservations for infants. But about half of the parents (mostly mothers) said

1). They would prefer a female doc for their girls after 5-6 years of age
2). They will specifically ask their girls at varying ages whether they prefer a female pediatrician (whereas no one mentioned asking the a boy the same question).

I know that something like 67-70% of all pediatric residents are females, but does there seem to be an issue at the resident or attending level with males docs?

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[TexasRose]

I haven't seen that be a problem. Some parents seem to really prefer male docs for their kids while others prefer female docs. My community preceptor is a male and the only difference I see for him is that he will refer his female adolescents to a gyn for "female problems." He still sees them for everything else.

The only time I saw a parent specifically request a female doc was more of a cultural/religious issue.

I wouldn't worry about it at all.

 

[michigangirl]

Everything you mentioned works in the opposite direction. For example, my son is now 6 and he told me he wanted "a man doctor" over a female doctor. In the academic training setting, male or female, it doesn't make a difference. In fact, I think people find male pediatricians "refreshing" in today's world, and it's a bit of a throwback to the old school days of the old male pediatricians who took care of many of us growing up. I've never heard anyone choose a female pediatrician simply because they are female--when puberty hits for girls they will see a ob/gyn as needed so it's a moot issue. The male pediatrician doesn't generally do breast exams. But all pediatricians need to do scrotal exams on males yearly.

My pediatric residency was 50% male-- and it was the best class ever ;-) People still talk about our class as such a diverse, vibrant mix. My pediatric critical group is 50% male. And our pediatric academic faculty are 50% male. Wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[oldbearprofessor]

Everything you mentioned works in the opposite direction. For example, my son is now 6 and he told me he wanted "a man doctor" over a female doctor. In the academic training setting, male or female, it doesn't make a difference. In fact, I think people find male pediatricians "refreshing" in today's world, and it's a bit of a throwback to the old school days of the old male pediatricians who took care of many of us growing up. I've never heard anyone choose a female pediatrician simply because they are female--when puberty hits for girls they will see a ob/gyn as needed so it's a moot issue. The male pediatrician doesn't generally do breast exams. But all pediatricians need to do scrotal exams on males yearly.

Agree with everything except the bolded. There are quite a few boys and girls in the 10-20 year old range who routinely see their pediatrician and may want to see the same gender for annual physicals. They mostly don't care about what gender doctor does throat swabs for a sore throat.😛

None of this changes your basic point that there is no problem with male pediatricians at all. A more interesting point is what proportion of parents would prefer to see a pediatrician who has (or is having...) kids and how strong that preference is.

 

[michigangirl]

OBP, you bring up a fascinating point that i've thought about a lot for years-- I really don't think that most parents even think about the question of whether their pediatrician has kids. I've sat in on a lot of "pediatrician interviews" where the parents ask the potential pediatrician questions before their baby is born-- not once has anyone ever asked whether the potential pediatrician has children of their own. This was in a "yuppie" pediatric practice where I did my residency continuity clinic, so mostly well-educated, ultra well-informed (sometimes too well-informed) thanks to the internet.

With the risk of being controversial- I do think it makes a difference. I think back to myself (if I were a general pediatrician) before and after kids. The advice and anticipatory guidance I give is completely different now. For the basic medical stuff, diagnosis, treatment, no difference. But for the big guidance things--- sleep, feeding, behavior, toilet training, etc.-- I can't believe the stuff I used to tell parents before I had children of my own-- so naive. I make a lot more sense now, and have a much more laid back approach now.

This is not a knock on pediatricians without children. I just know I think if I were a clinic pediatrician, I would be much better after I had my kids-- before, I was very straight about how people should schedule their kids, when they should let them cry it out, how to make sure they get their fruits and veggies, etc. etc.-- now I know that every family is different, and there are many ways to do it-- in fact, I am starting a blog on this very topic. I think parents get too caught up in how other people tell them how to do it-- and forget their own instincts. Sure there are some basics-- vaccines, nutrition, behavior-- but overall-- what works for your family and keeps you happy is what works for you. ok, i'm done being verbose ;-)

 

[generic]

1. Male general pediatricians: I agree with above experts. Being a male resident in the resident clinic, I have personally had some (mostly adolescent) male patients specifically request a "man doctor." Some other male residents have had mothers request them because they are just so ridiculously good-looking...or at least that's the word on the street.

2. I also think having your own children makes a difference. Some of it is probably perception, but surely there's a lot to be learned about sleep training when you're going through it. I've also had the experience where some patients' parents seem to really brighten and take me more seriously when I empathize with their issues by saying "my daughter did X also, but now it's gotten much better, so don't worry." I think that just in general, being a parent puts you in a certain club and mothers/fathers of your patients will appreciate their pediatrician being in it also.

Which is not to say you MUST have children to be a great pediatrician. Just my dos centavos.