A doctor has hit out at sexism in medicine by sharing graphic photos of a swimmer she saved while wearing her bikini.
Dr. Candice Myhre, who works in Kalaheo, Hawaii, told her more than 33,000 followers: ‘Dr Bikini will save your life in the middle of the ocean when you get hit by a boat.’ Her post has been liked more than 258,000 times.
A number of female medics have posted selfies in their bikinis following a backlash against a ‘sexist’ study by male researchers that claimed medics look ‘unprofessional’ sharing such images on social media.
Dr. Myhre added: ‘I am an Emergency Medicine Physician standing in solidarity with female vascular surgeons today. NEWSFLASH: FEMALE DOCTORS CAN WEAR WHATEVER THEY WANT.’
The study, published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery, sparked outrage when it was published this week. It concluded that ‘censored profanity’ such as swearing and ‘controversial social topics’ are unprofessional.
It didn’t refer specifically to female medics but the outraged community have accused it of perpetuating ‘sexism’ in the profession.
The hashtag #MedBikini began circulating on social media this week with doctors posting their swimsuit selfies in defiance of the controversial study. Dr Myhre showed herself working in one to save a patient.
Dr. Candice Myhre, who works in Kalaheo, Hawaii, told her more than 33,000 followers: ‘Dr Bikini will save your life in the middle of the Ocean when you get hit by a boat.’ Her post, pictured, has been liked more than 258,000 times
The hashtag #MedBikini began circulating on social media this week with doctors posting their swimsuit selfies in defiance of the controversial study. Dr Myhre showed herself working in one to save a patient
Explaining how she cared for the injured swimmer Dr. Myhre wrote Sunday: ‘Female doctors, nurses, NPs/PAs, all healthcare professionals – we can wear a bikini, a dress, or we can wear scrubs. This does not change how good we are at being a healthcare provider. We can wear WHATEVER we want on our free time, and still save your life.
‘Sexism in medicine is alive and well. But we won’t let that stop us.’
The offending study concluded that photos where doctors are wearing ‘inappropriate/offensive attire’ such as swimsuits, are holding or consuming alcohol or that include ‘controversial political comments’ are ‘potentially unprofessional’ and could impact whether patients choose them as doctors.
The medical community hit back at the research, carried out by three men, slamming it as ‘sexist’ and ‘disturbing’ as calls mount for it to be retracted.
The medical community, including Dr Myhre, pictured, hit back at the research, carried out by three men, slamming it as ‘sexist’ and ‘disturbing’ as calls mount for it to be retracted
Dr. Myhre , pictured, added: ‘I am an Emergency Medicine Physician standing in solidarity with female vascular surgeons today. NEWSFLASH: FEMALE DOCTORS CAN WEAR WHATEVER THEY WANT.’
Dr. Myhre added: ‘In this ridiculous article published in a well respected medical journal, the vascular surgery authors sought out to determine how many vascular surgeons had participated in what they state is “inappropriate social media behavior”, which they defined as FEMALES IN BIKINIS – BUT GET THIS: NOT MEN IN BATHING SUITS.
‘Other topics considered “inappropriate” were Halloween costumes (should I take down my pregnant nun costume?) GUN CONTROL and politics. The “study” was written by 3 men who created fake social media accounts to spy on applicants.
‘My dad who was a triple boarded cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon would not approve of their study. Especially since he liked gardening in a speedo.
‘Women in medicine: whether you’re a nurse, medical student, resident, an attending, post your favorite bikini pic/dress pic/halloween pic/anything today and tag me. We have to drown out the sexism in medicine and keep it moving. It’s 2020 people. Sexism is cancelled.’
Other female doctors have also mocked the study online.
‘In case you wanna know what’s happening in doctor twitter today: a “scientific” publication just announced that holding alcoholic drinks and wearing bikinis are unprofessional behaviors for a doctor. What till they hear that med schools started letting women wear pants!’ one tweeted.
A fellow female medical professional responded with a snap of herself sporting a cutout swimsuit and sunglasses while lounging in a pool with a cocktail.
Many male doctors also got in on the act in a show of support for their female colleagues.
‘Although no one will want to see this Dad bod here it is in full support of my female colleagues and this misogynistic study,’ tweeted one male doctor alongside a snap of him topless in the sea.
Other female doctors have also mocked the study online
Two of the study’s authors have since apologized for the study and claimed they had aimed to ’empower’ the profession with the study.
‘Our intent was to empower surgeons to be aware and then personally decide what may be easily available for patients and colleagues to see about us. However, this was not the result,’ Thomas Cheng and Jeffrey Siracuse both tweeted.
‘We realize that the definition of professionalism is rapidly changing in medicine and that we need to support trainees and surgeons as our society changes.
‘We are sorry that we made the young surgeons feel targeted and that we were judgmental.’