Misogyny exists across all industries, as it is deeply ingrained in society.
One of the most overt ways we are misogynistic in contemporary society is judging women's bodies. Some of those ways are a bit more subtle, such as editors tightening up women's bodies in magazines; other are more overt, such as calling women who dress a certain way names.
The Journal Of Vascular Surgery published a piece that policed the conduct of young vascular surgeons, particularly women, entitled "Prevalence Of Unprofessional Social Media Content Among Young Vascular Surgeons," which called out doctors for "provocative posing in bikinis/swimwear" and "holding/consuming alcohol."
In case you wanna know what’s happening in doctor twitter today: a “scientific” publication just announced that hol… https://t.co/OyMHqhCoVv— Dr. M (@Dr. M)1595552634.0
In response, the hashtag #MedBikini started trending on Twitter.
Since doctors are people, they generally wear bikinis and drink alcohol sometimes.
@MaaloufMD To which I respond: https://t.co/mTWo254bzY— Dr. Victoria Dooley (@Dr. Victoria Dooley)1595554538.0
Last time I checked, I can wear whatever I want. #MedTwitter #medbikini https://t.co/pij7HJGi0U— Kesia (@Kesia)1595648078.0
Ha! Found a selfie in a bikini. To the 28 year old “researcher” who says this is unprofessional for women doctors,… https://t.co/pfa3Hswhk9— Trisha Greenhalgh 😷 #BlackLivesMatter (@Trisha Greenhalgh 😷 #BlackLivesMatter)1595605462.0
Surgeons can wear bikinis. ❤️🇲🇽 #medbikini https://t.co/VFf4tHzsUS— Daisy Sanchez (@Daisy Sanchez)1595681867.0
I’ve thought long and hard about posting my #MedBikini contribution, because so many of them don’t look like me. Bu… https://t.co/xsl7kK1Ju9— MED, M.D. (@MED, M.D.)1595679784.0
Aside from the general ickiness of the study, professionals are pointing out some more disturbing ethical problems with this "peer reviewed" study, such as that three men created fake social media accounts to spy on people and produce these results.
So this study was published shaming physicians for being “unprofessional” by wearing bikinis or holding a beer in a… https://t.co/Hu4MWadc4l— Nicolas Leighton (@Nicolas Leighton)1595593376.0
Also would love to hear more about “controversial social topics” that are defined as unprofessional. I’m gay, belie… https://t.co/0UEHjYhuTu— Nicolas Leighton (@Nicolas Leighton)1595593952.0
To think in 2020 with everything going on, these researchers got together and said “hmm what kind of research quest… https://t.co/9hQJkIta3T— Nicolas Leighton (@Nicolas Leighton)1595597639.0
@NickLeighton12 This study has only been cited 3 times, although likely now amplified. I am interested in the fact… https://t.co/oL6ECDrD81— Lisa Chudomelka (@Lisa Chudomelka)1595645179.0
@NickLeighton12 1 I concur & I'm a patient 2 Researchers sound CREEPY & CRAZY in this study. Very intrusive and sk… https://t.co/RLTVbYBnZ3— Pam (@Pam)1595649039.0
In response, the journal retracted the piece.
Editor’s Statement Regarding “Prevalence of unprofessional society media content among young vascular surgeons” https://t.co/JAoFgcRtPx— J Vascular Surgery (@J Vascular Surgery)1595639477.0
The piece started an internet-wide conversation about the misogyny embedded in the medical community.
I am a woman in medicine who loves to travel to tropical locations and dress accordingly. I will not wear my white… https://t.co/FCSaDXx3d9— saphrophyticus⁷ (@saphrophyticus⁷)1595538566.0
Although no one will want to see this Dad bod here it is in full support of my female colleagues and this misogynis… https://t.co/7eD6UZj4s4— Anthony Tucker (@Anthony Tucker)1595593057.0
I wear bikinis, I’m a first year med student, I am going to be a surgeon. #MedBikini https://t.co/kQSj4HwKvG— Meron (@Meron)1595564190.0
Trans #MedBikini #gaymedtwitter Because enjoying the water does not make me “unprofessional.” Because my identity i… https://t.co/dODSx4KTHb— E. Concors, MD, MPH (@E. Concors, MD, MPH)1595697587.0
Misogyny is medieval. Do I have to wear my white coat at all times to deserve the title of "professional"? Fun, sex… https://t.co/TRkhi0AZnF— Vera Bajarias, MD (@Vera Bajarias, MD)1595580386.0
Bikini on, doctors!
And thank you for your service.