[Achieving diversity in the medical field:a survey of female physicians and medical staff in the Department of Gastroenterology].

From the perspective of diversity in the medical field, the relationship between physicians and medical staff is one of the important factors. In this study, a survey was conducted on female doctors for 136 medical staff who are deeply involved in gastroenterology. Furthermore, another survey was conducted on 10 female doctors in gastroenterology regarding their relationship with the medical staff and their work-life balance. Consequently, 89% of the medical staff had experienced a situation where they relied on female doctors. Seventy-eight percent felt a necessity for female doctors, and it was observed that the demand for female doctors in gastroenterology would remain high in the future. Conversely, regarding the necessity of female doctors, 22% responded "neither agree nor disagree," and several of them believed that the personal qualities of a doctor were the most significant versus being a female. Moreover, it was noted that the idea of genderless thinking is becoming prevalent in the medical field. In addition, half of the female doctors considered gastroenterology to be a workplace that is easy for female doctors. The most common reason was that it broadens the options for working styles because skills, including gastrointestinal endoscopy and ultrasonography, can be acquired. Ninety percent of female doctors had no experience of trouble with medical staff due to being female. Conversely, 80% responded that they could work smoothly with staff in their interactions with female patients. Since medical treatment is based on gender differences, it is difficult not to be aware of them. Creating an environment wherein female doctors are freed from gender stereotypes and can utilize being female as one of their abilities while responding to the needs of patients and the medical field will be necessary.