ABSTRACT
Conscious and unconscious bias between doctors is less talked about, but remains problematic. Doctors increasingly understand how to effectively deal with overt, unlawful bullying, sexual harassment and discrimination at work, but sometimes find it difficult to respond to repetitive subtle gender, racial and other bias or exclusion between colleagues. Women doctors are more likely to experience income inequity and less opportunity to be promoted to medical leadership roles than men although they have equal competencies. Medical women also experience high levels of anxiety, depression, bullying and violence, compared with the general population and male doctors. Cultural stereotypes often characterise women doctors as kind, helpful, supportive, nice, modest, collaborative, self-deprecating, gentle, soft spoken, compassionate, understanding, complaint and nurturing. In their role as doctors, women may receive push back from both male and female colleagues and other staff when they display behaviours usually attributed to male stereotypes.
