PhD – Occupational stereotypes in medicine

Research on gender segregation within medical specialties: understanding and breaking stereotypes

In the medical world, there is a growing presence of women, yet it is mainly men who dominate medical specialties. Only 25% of all working surgeons in the Netherlands are female, despite more than half of the Dutch medical student population being female. Why is there still so much gender segregation within these fields?

Johanna S. W. Kruger, a PhD candidate at the GRID Lab under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Belle Derks, is investigating this phenomenon in her doctoral research entitled "Agentic and communal occupational stereotypes in medical specialties in the Netherlands." She aims to further explore the role of occupational stereotypes in medical specialties to gain a better understanding of the underlying processes that contribute to gender segregation within these fields in the Netherlands.
An important factor at play is the gender-related nature of the stereotypes associated with these specialisations. For example, surgery is stereotypically seen as a "male" profession. Therefore, the goal of this project is to gain insight into the psychological processes involved in gender segregation within medical specialties by examining the role of occupational stereotypes.

The research focuses on both male and female doctors and medical students, as well as how they perceive the work culture in their specialisation. It explores the differences between fields dominated by men and those dominated by women. Based on these findings, the project aims to develop intervention strategies that can contribute to a more inclusive employment sector.
Understanding and addressing this gender segregation within medical specialties is crucial. A diverse and inclusive team of doctors can lead to better healthcare and a broader perspective on health issues. With this research, Johanna hopes to contribute to a more equitable and inclusive medical sector where everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of their gender.

This project is part of SCOOP. SCOOP aims to study interdisciplinary sustainable cooperation as a characteristic aspect of resilient societies.

Involved researchers

  • Senior Scientist TNO