Doctors labeled “unprofessional” by a misogynistic study for posting bikini pics protest by posting even more!
Should surgeons and other medics who wear bikinis in their free time be called “unprofessional”?
Recently, the Journal of Vascular Surgery published a study that condemns young vascular surgeons, particularly women, who post pictures in swimsuits on their personal social media accounts. According to the piece, these medics have an “unprofessional social media behavior”.
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! pic.twitter.com/waoKfWW4qE
— Dr. M (@MaaloufMD) July 24, 2020
What the controversial study tries to prove is that publicly available social media content “may affect patient choice of physician, hospital, and medical facility”. In other words, if a surgeon posts a bikini photo on their Instagram account, for example, patients may find their reputation questionable and choose another doctor for their treatment.
Surgeons can wear bikinis. ❤️🇲🇽 #medbikini pic.twitter.com/VFf4tHzsUS
— Daisy Sanchez (@ladaisysanchez) July 25, 2020
Pictures showing the young surgeons with a drink in their hand are also treated with the same prejudice by the researchers involved.
#MedBikini bc I’m in a hospital at 4 am, and if you don’t think 12 mi hikes, beers, and bikinis don’t make me a better doctor you’re nuts. pic.twitter.com/0M7kGpWxFv
— Lauren Agoubi (@laurenagoubi) July 24, 2020
The article, called “Prevalence of unprofessional social media content among young vascular surgeons”, states:
“Such content has the potential to affect professional reputation among peers and employers.”
Last time I checked, I can wear whatever I want. #MedTwitter #medbikini pic.twitter.com/pij7HJGi0U
— Kesia (@KesiaNguyen) July 25, 2020
The piece sparked a wave of online unrest. It was also the reason for the viral hashtag #MedBikini on Twitter.
I am a woman in medicine who loves to travel to tropical locations and dress accordingly. I will not wear my white coat and scrubs to Hawaii. This does not make me unprofessional or less intelligent or compassionate compared to my male colleagues. #medbikini #girlmedtwitter pic.twitter.com/RmCQBnUme6
— s⁷ (@stephlococcus) July 23, 2020
Healthcare workers all over social media are questioning the misogyny embedded in the medical community, Comic Sands notes. After all, doctors are human beings just like everybody else. They are adults who have the right to drink alcohol sometimes and wear bikinis in their free time.
Now I know some of you may be thinking “wow she owns a swimsuit, how unprofessional”, but all I’m thinking is “wow look at my sternocleidomastoids”.#MedBikini pic.twitter.com/xOwXTV7p9Q
— Natalie Wall, MD (@nataliemwall) July 24, 2020
What’s more, some of the understandably offended medics speculate the whole study is a hoax. They believe that some of the researchers created fake social media accounts to stalk on doctors’ personal pages so they can produce their results.
So this study was published shaming physicians for being “unprofessional” by wearing bikinis or holding a beer in a photo? And the study was conducted by 3 men who created fake social media accounts to spy on applicants?
This “study” must be retracted.#MedTwitter #MedBikini pic.twitter.com/h3SXs3YXUO
— Nicolas Leighton (@NickLeighton12) July 24, 2020
Responding to the immense backlash, the journal retracted the piece. In an official statement, they wrote:
“We offer an apology to every person who has communicated the sadness, anger, and disappointment caused by this article.”
Editor’s Statement Regarding “Prevalence of unprofessional society media content among young vascular surgeons” pic.twitter.com/JAoFgcRtPx
— J Vascular Surgery (@JVascSurg) July 25, 2020
However, MDs and other healthcare workers stress that a simple apology is not enough to fix the issue. Meanwhile, the hashtag #MedBikini continues to gain popularity.
Ha! Found a selfie in a bikini. To the 28 year old “researcher” who says this is unprofessional for women doctors, I’m old enough to be your grandmother. #MedBikini pic.twitter.com/84CKW9nfhz
— Trisha Greenhalgh 😷 #BlackLivesMatter (@trishgreenhalgh) July 24, 2020
Turns out I can wear a bikini and be a surgeon. Gasp! 😱 pic.twitter.com/TA8WlssJJd
— Daisy Sanchez (@ladaisysanchez) July 24, 2020
I promise me posting a picture in a bikini has ZERO impact on me being professional #MedBikini pic.twitter.com/oSkLw5ImYT
— Lex🦋 (@_itsLex) July 25, 2020
People are even having fun with the whole unpleasant situation.
How unprofessional is this life jacket? #medbikini pic.twitter.com/RAuGeik3zD
— Ortho PA-C (@al_ortho) July 24, 2020
I now realise wearing a bikini is potentially unprofessional conduct but what about an Eeyore onesie? Asking for a friend (apologies to my daughters whose lives are apparently no longer worth living). #MedBikini pic.twitter.com/CH7j2FVuRM
— David Adam (@drdadam) July 25, 2020
Am I doing it right? #professionalism #MedBikini #MedTwitter pic.twitter.com/nq1C8JjlSE
— Rachel Bocchino (@RachelBocchino) July 25, 2020
What do you think about misogyny and prejudice in the medical community? Have you ever been labeled “unprofessional” for enjoying your free time? Let us know in the comment section!