Journal of women's health
-
Journal of women's health · Apr 2022
Are You Really the Doctor? Physician Experiences with Gendered Microaggressions from Patients.
Background: In contrast to physician implicit bias toward patients, bias and microaggressions from patients toward physicians have received comparatively less attention. Materials and Methods: We captured physician experiences of gendered microaggressions from patients by conducting a mixed-methods survey-based study of physicians at a single academic health care institution in May 2019. A quantitative portion assessed the frequency of gendered microaggressions (microaggression experiences [ME] score) and the association with measures of perceived impacts (job satisfaction, burnout, perceived career impacts, behavioral modifications). ⋯ The frequency of microaggressions did not vary significantly by race; however, qualitative responses described race as a factor. Conclusions: Physicians experience gendered microaggressions from patients, which may influence job satisfaction, burnout, career perceptions, and behavior. Future research may explore the multidirectionality of microaggressions and tools for responding at the individual and institutional level.
-
Journal of women's health · Apr 2022
Winners and Losers in Academic Productivity During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Is the Gender Gap Widening for Faculty?
Background: The coronavirus pandemic accelerated academic medicine into the frontline of research and clinical work, leaving some faculty exhausted, and others with unanticipated time off. Women were particularly vulnerable, having increased responsibilities in both academic work and caregiving. Methods: The authors sought to determine faculty's responses to the pandemic, seeking predictors of accelerated versus decelerated academic productivity and work-life balance. ⋯ In a similar model comparing partnered faculty whose self-rated work-life balance increased with partnered faculty whose work-life balance decreased, being in the positive work-life balance group was predicted by increased academic productivity, increased job stress, and having higher job priority than your partner. Conclusions: While the COVID-19 pandemic placed huge stressors on academic medical faculty, pandemic placed huge stressors on academic medical faculty, some experienced gains in productivity and work-life balance, with potential to widen the gender gap. As academic medicine evolves post-COVID, leaders should be aware that productivity and work-life balance predict each other, and that these factors have connections to work location, stress, and relationship dynamics, emphasizing the inseparable connections between work and life success.
-
Journal of women's health · Apr 2022
Impact of SARS-COV2 Pandemic on Patients with Endometriosis and Their Health Care.
Background: Endometriosis is a debilitating chronic inflammatory disease. The current SARS-COV2 pandemic has had an impact on the management of these patients. Tele-health care has been a relevant tool. ⋯ Conclusions: Patients with endometriosis, and especially patients with "significant" pelvic pain, reported greater concern and the perception of worsening during the SARS-COV2 pandemic. Tele-health is a useful tool in patients with endometriosis, and face-to-face visit should be considered in those reporting "significant" pelvic pain. Clinical Trial Registration Number: HCB 1202011497.
-
Journal of women's health · Apr 2022
Financial Instability and Delays in Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Due to COVID-19.
Objective: To identify prevalence of, and patient and clinic characteristics associated with, delays in access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care due to the COVID-19 pandemic across three states with varying COVID-19 context and state government response. Methods: We weighted data collected between May 2020 and May 2021 from monthly and biannual follow-up surveys of patients seeking family planning care at a publicly supported health center in Arizona (N = 538), Iowa (N = 341), and Wisconsin (N = 568), who reported on experiences 6-18 months before the survey. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify characteristics associated with delays in accessing SRH care due to COVID-19, with specific attention to associations between patients' financial instability and experiencing delays. ⋯ In Arizona and Wisconsin, in multivariable models, respondents who had experienced financial instability due to being out of work, having fallen behind on key life payments, or because of a job reduction or loss due to COVID-19 had increased odds of experiencing COVID-19-related SRH care delays (Arizona adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.6, p = 0.01 and Wisconsin aOR = 6.0, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Access to contraception was curtailed during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for those who experienced employment and financial instability. Individuals' and clinics' ability to mitigate these effects were likely dependent on state context and response to the pandemic, among other factors.
-
Journal of women's health · Apr 2022
Variation in Breast Cancer Risk Model Estimates Among Women in Their 40s Seen in Primary Care.
Background: The Gail, Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC), and Tyrer-Cuzick breast cancer risk prediction models are recommended for use in primary care. Calculating breast cancer risk is particularly important for women in their 40s when deciding on mammography, with some guidelines recommending screening for those with 5-year risk similar to women age 50 (≥1.1%). Yet, little is known about risk estimate agreement among models for these women. ⋯ Gail and Tyrer-Cuzick estimates led to agreement about prevention medications for 8 women, kappa 0.41 (0.20-0.61), and models agreed on lifetime risk ≥20% for 3 women, kappa 0.08 (-0.01 to 0.16). Conclusions: There is weak agreement on breast cancer risk estimates generated by risk models recommended for primary care. Using different models may lead to different clinical recommendations for women in their 40s.