Effects of the gender gap and mansplaining in the medical workplace

Abstract

In recent years, the feminization of the medical profession has grown significantly, with women making up 56% of registered members in the Costa Rican Medical and Surgical College as of 2024. Despite this progress, a gender gap persists, limiting women’s access to leadership positions, a phenomenon known as the glass ceiling.  It is also recognized that there are barriers and microaggressions that hinder the professional advancement of women in medicine. The objective of this review is to know the manifestations, effects, and approach to mansplaining in the professional performance of female physicians, as a form of microaggression that contributes to the gender gap and is capable of altering the quality of institutional health care. These microaggressions, often normalized, negatively impact the mental health and well-being of female physicians. Findings show that while women represent over 70% of the healthcare workforce, their presence in leadership roles remains low, as evidenced during the Covid-19 pandemic. Structural changes in workplace policies and the creation of inclusive programs promoting gender equity are recommended. This research contributes to gender studies by proposing strategies to recognize and address microaggressions, fostering a more equitable organizational culture.