"BECOMGING A GAY OR LESBIAN DOCTOR"

Date: Friday, March 12, 1999
Presented by: Cathy Risdon M.D. Asst. Professor, Family Medicine

In March, Cathy Risdon presented the findings of a qualitative study on gay and lesbian physicians in medical training. This research explores the challenges of navigating medical professionalization alongside the formation of gay and lesbian identity with a focus on identifying strategies for a more inclusive and humane medical education. Funded by the Women's Health Office, this study involved 29 participants, ranging in age from 20 to 42 years and representative of several medical specialities. Data were collected through focus groups and individual interviews. The findings indicate the tensions which accompany the reconciliation of career choice ("good") with sexual orientation ("bad") and the dangers of coming out in a homophobic environment. Personal safety is determined through the inclusivity of language and curriculum and the presence of identifiable role models. Dangerous working and learning environments are those where hateful and bigoted comments find expression. Suggestions for improving the climate include: normalizing gay and lesbian identities in case scenarios; enhanced curricula in human sexuality; institution-sponsored support groups; role models within the faculty; visible, vocal support condemning discrimination; and the implementation of practical institutional measures to combat homophobic and heterosexist practices. This research has implications for other marginalized groups who exist outside the norm of white, middle-class Canadian society. The effort expended daily by gay and lesbian students in their attempts to navigate the safety of their learning and working environments is lost energy to the student, training process and the profession as a whole.