title: Junior doctors and undergraduate teaching: the influence of gender on the provision of medical education.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  International experience has demonstrated that the medical profession is becoming less dominated by men. This "feminization of medicine" has been a topic of much debate in the medical literature. As the gender ratio in the profession changes, it is likely that a greater proportion of undergraduate education will be provided by women. Whether this shift away from the male-dominated provision of medical education will have an effect on undergraduate education is unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this research was to clarify whether there are differences between the attitudes and practices of male and female junior doctors regarding the practice of undergraduate teaching.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey methodology among a cohort of nonconsultant hospital doctors in a major Irish teaching hospital was utilized. The overall response rate was 93%. The cohort held a positive attitude toward teaching undergraduates, and the majority were actively engaged in this activity. Doctors of both genders expressed a willingness to undertake teacher training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between the genders regarding the self-reported quantity of teaching provided to undergraduates. Male doctors perceived themselves as more confident educators when compared to female doctors, but this is likely to reflect cohort demographics in which a greater proportion of male doctors were more senior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that male and female doctors have similar attitudes toward, and practices in, voluntary undergraduate teaching. As a result, any gender shift in medicine is unlikely to result in a significant change in junior doctors' attitudes toward undergraduate medical education.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Incorporating the National Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Prichard
authors.forename: Niamh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Mairead
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boohan
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wall
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D012737:Sex Factors; D013663:Teaching