mens organization in medical school

[jel27a]

Does anyone have a mens organization at their schools? Our school just started one that focuses on male physician's issues both carreer as well as health wise. During our sanctioning process we ran into significant resistance. If you know someone trying to start something like this please let me know as I would like to bounce some ideas around.

Thanks!

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[uclacrewdude]

"orthopedic surgery"

 

[paramed2premed]

From the little you have written, I am assuming that you want to start a medical school fraternity.

I believe that if you were sincerely interested in, say, men's uro-repro health, that you would find support. Are you sure there isn't some sort of political or social agenda attached to your idea that is rubbing folks the wrong way?

 

[Flack Pinku]

Agreed with the Orthopedic surgery field... also like to add Neurosurg (though it's not as single-sided i don't think).

What's wrong with a frat in med school? It could help the students through... a social outlet and stuff during hard times. Although I don't think it should be as socially-oriented as the stereotypical college frats. Kinda like an academic frat with some social components. Good idea...

There need not be any political agendas linked to this.

 

[jed2023]

Originally posted by paramed2premed
From the little you have written, I am assuming that you want to start a medical school fraternity.

I believe that if you were sincerely interested in, say, men's uro-repro health, that you would find support. Are you sure there isn't some sort of political or social agenda attached to your idea that is rubbing folks the wrong way?

It's funny how in this society if you are not a woman or a member of a minority group (racial or otherwise), you are automatically suspect if you are interested in starting an interest group.

I mean, I don't see how "mens organization . . . that focuses on male physician's issues both carreer as well as health wise" equates to fraternity. Depends on how you use the word, I suppose. To most people, though, I think it conjures up images of immature college males drinking jugs of beer.

 

[Flack Pinku]

Originally posted by jed2023
It's funny how in this society if you are not a woman or a member of a minority group (racial or otherwise), you are automatically suspect if you are interested in starting an interest group.

I mean, I don't see how "mens organization . . . that focuses on male physician's issues both carreer as well as health wise" equates to fraternity. Depends on how you use the word, I suppose. To most people, though, I think it conjures up images of immature college males drinking jugs of beer.

Totally... can't men have support groups too? I'd rather not get this into a flame war. But the way I see it, there's nothin wrong with starting a "frat" type of thing for academic and social support all over med schools in USA.

Fosters a sense of camraderie as well! And of course, the spirit has to be there... if no one cares, then there's no need. The student body must care for this to succeed.

 

[peptidoglycan]

Tulane has a men's only med school frat and no one seems bothered by it.

 

[Kalel]

An organization that focuses on "men's health issues" is going to rub a lot of people the wrong way because of the history of medicine. Besides being a men's only profession up until a few decades ago, there was a huge disproportionate emphasis on men-related health issues in research, both in funding and in who was allowed to participate as subjects. Most would say that there still is heavy biasness towards men's health in medicine, an example of this would be insurance companies paying for viagra but not paying for female infertility treatments.

 

[nutmegs]

I'm curious about the health and career issues that are unique to men, thus creating a need for such an organization?

 

[Goober]

I don't see any problem with it as long as you don't exclude anybody from being part of the group. Who cares whether or not you meet resistance. There are a lot of groups that I didn't particularly care for in both college in med school, but that doesn't mean that they don't have the right to exist.

You should make sure there is an interest for such a group and the people who want it are very vocal about it if you meet resistance.

 

[Gleevec]

I think having a men's-issues interest group is fine. Heck, as long as its open to everyone I dont see how it could be a bad thing.

 

[Doctor Octopus]

Originally posted by nutmegs
I'm curious about the health and career issues that are unique to men, thus creating a need for such an organization?

The issues are probably things that men would not feel comfortable talking about in the presence of women. Some people may feel that there are different issues/pressures that they face because they are male/female and would prefer to discuss these issues with people of the same sex. Others might feel that no such gender specific issues exist or that they are insignificant and would therefore not wish to participate in a gender specific organization - or they might want to start a co-ed support group would also be perfectly fine.

 

[uclacrewdude]

Originally posted by jed2023
It's funny how in this society if you are not a woman or a member of a minority group (racial or otherwise), you are automatically suspect if you are interested in starting an interest group.

I mean, I don't see how "mens organization . . . that focuses on male physician's issues both carreer as well as health wise" equates to fraternity. Depends on how you use the word, I suppose. To most people, though, I think it conjures up images of immature college males drinking jugs of beer.

i dont see why white men need a particular support group in the first place. generally, support groups are created to create the support for a certain group that hasnt been getting the benefits the majority has. since white males are the majority, by definition theyve been getting support others, like women and minorities, generally havent enjoyed as much. the way i see it is like having a "venture capitalist's support group" -- how much additional support could you need when youre doing better than everyone else out there? or like having a "healthy, financially solvent pt's support group" just b/c those AIDS and cancer pt's have theirs.

yes, all people need support. hence the existence of general support groups, like AMSA, student councils, etc. all things being equal, i will require less special support than any woman, or any wholly minority person.

 

[carrigallen]

actually, men are at higher risk for many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and of course prostate problems. Still, I would call your organization a "men's health organization" to be more specific and avoid confusion.