I thought I’d share this I was sent anonymously from a doctor because I think she makes a really good point about the time period of the piece - “This is a great take. I’m a GP, and I loved the book, but I am hurt by the treatment of women played for laughs and the dehumanised nature of the patients in general. Thanks for writing. It is important to consider that it is a period piece - I hadn’t finished highschool when it is set, and I’ve been a doctor for 9 years now. Things are improving, more women are doctors, and people are better supported generally.”
Emily you’ve described this all so well. That’s exactly how I felt after watching the first episode. Thank you for articulating this.
The thing I found a bit weird is that I read his book, and have read other ones by him, and really enjoyed them, felt that Kay is a heartfelt person. I don’t know if something was lost in translation when making the tv show, or I somehow missed any dehumanisation in the first place.
One sensation I had after watching the first episode (I couldn’t face watching any more) was a familiar sense of being a killjoy and a nag, because the show got so many glowing reviews and I couldn’t understand it. I wanted to express my confusion and hurt but also felt I shouldn’t, because I must have it wrong; my reaction must be wrong. It makes me realise how much these ‘killjoy’ and ‘nag’ stereotypes must have their origin in women being supremely unheard, unseen and disregarded.
Arohanui, I was very worried about sharing this review because I felt the same. I was really looking forward to watching the show as I believe it’s crucial to show how underfunded and under resourced the system is. And I felt it was important. So I saw it before it was on TVNZ and I was worried I’d be seen as a killjoy given the fawning reviews. So I appreciate your comment. I see you ❤️
Yea, think I'll pass, thanks for watching that first ep for me!
On the pain thing... Medicine seems to take forever to evolve. Do they not think that many women (and people with a uterus) are in pain every month, so probably actually have a better understanding of pain, and how much pain they can personally tolerate, more than the average male? Oh, now that is a neat study idea, I wonder how a Med Student could research that?
Some of the linked studies are fascinating. I fear it’s more to do with the stereotype that women are hysterical and unable to cope with pain and that men are stoic and can - and therefore they’re believed when they’re in pain, while women are sometimes not.
Thank you so much for this important piece. I think it's really beautifully balanced, actually.
As you know, I wrote in the stuff article saying how I felt so vindicated, so *seen* as a junior doctor when watching this show. The hours, the bullying, the terror, the immense personal sacrifices. The losing of yourself, for a job. It's madness really. I feel tearful thinking about it, and wouldn't recommend it to anyone as a career choice. Clearly I'm immediately transported back to that deep burnout, for those feelings to be so visceral instantly. I've had so much engagement on instagram from people who can't comprehend that it's real the way junior doctors are treated, that it's dramatised for effect. It's not.
I think both you and I see our trauma depicted in this show. Except our trauma's are entirely different.
I am sorry I didn't use my stuff piece to explain the other half of my feelings. 150 words isn't enough to do both sides justice, but I could've done (a lot) better. Because the other half is that I don't identify with his dehumanisation of patients, and especially pregnant people, and it's horrifying. That it was written at a time when things were different - when it was socially acceptable to talk this way (anyone else cringe at old Friends episodes, but used to laugh along?). But mainly that its depiction of pregnant people as being a nuisance, as being vessels for birth, as being silly and incapable and not worthy of conversation was never ok, but is thankfully immensely different now (although not always, absolutely).
Thank you for writing this and putting this side of the story so beautifully into words!
Please don’t be sorry! You do so much incredible mahi and none of us have the ability to represent every angle (also as you can see from my thousand word reviews I can’t do anything in 150 words!!) I think the plight of junior doctors is really, really hidden and I’ve been thinking a lot about how I haven’t heard much since the last strike action. I think the show is really important, particularly in the final episodes in showing just how enormous and tragic that toll can be when we don’t care for, protect and appreciate our health care workers. Arohanui x love your work x
I binged it on a plane recently, and really enjoyed it, though wasn't viewing it through this lens. Your review gave me pause. I can see where you are coming from, though I think I may just view it differently because of my different life experiences.
I profoudly enjoyed the book, and found it deeply moving. Honestly, it's phenomenal. It made me both laugh and cry, which is really saying something (I put it up there with Bluey "Sleepytime" and the final episode of "Get Krackin'", if that resonates with anyone!).
I might try to return to the book. I definitely think we view things differently based on our life experiences - and there are lots of things I know I won’t like. This one surprised me because I was looking forward to it. But my sensitivity to it - is definitely shaped by my experiences with a chronic pain condition. ❤️
I realised that I actually listened to the audio book version, which is read by Adam Kay. So an even more direct line to the author's thoughts through emphasis, tone, etc. I wonder how much that contributed to my sense of him as a decent human being, rather than a misogynistic asshole?
I watched the first episode while in hospital with my newborn, alone for the night undergoing treatment for jaundice, feeling pretty miserable. My only thought was that I hoped the other women in the ward weren't watching this...
"But if all the first episode does is cement stereotypes about women and pain," I don't often disagree with you but on this I strongly do. That isn't all the first episode did. Who is it for? People like me .The show and the book is about Adam Kay's experience of the NHS. Having limited experience of working in the NHS myself (and the more extensive experience of four vaginal deliveries) the characterisation of medics and parents is pretty accurate. The show is about the desperation behind the humour. And it's a harsh reality check for all of us who might call for tax cuts. Similar comments were made about Don't Look Up - it's not funny. Maybe it's not meant to be and that's the point.
I also think not all television is “for” everyone and that’s ok. So if this show is just for doctors and healthcare workers that does make it worthy. I just hope that context is understood, it reminds me of that quote “If the person on the gallows makes a grim joke, that's gallows humour. If someone in the crowd makes a joke, that's part of the execution.” In newsrooms I’ve worked in the humour was jet black, but we were careful around who we made those jokes around...and maybe this speaks to a context collapse in the same way?
Now that is a very good point - context collapse. But in this case couldn't that also be patronising? Doesn't that make the humour 'elitist'? And exposing 'in jokes' in the medical world has confronted medics and forced them to account for notes like "FLK" and "NFP" (funny looking kid and normal for Plymouth). Humour is a tricky field. I'm darned if I know if it's ok to laugh at Ricky Gervais' SuperNature. And the show's 'stupid' mother isn't so stupid.
The comparison to Ricky Gervais is a good one I think. I think he really delights in being cruel and presenting himself as “one of the people” when really he is just punching down. And that’s what I see in the show too. The butt of every joke is the women patients who are extremely vulnerable and have far less power, far less privilege. The humour isn’t elitist it’s simplistic and easy, because punching down is just that - it’s the bottom of the barrel when it comes to humour. I think most patients know many doctors laugh at them or have in jokes about them but it’s when that impacts care that it becomes an issue. And that’s kind of Adam’s story to me, and maybe that’s why I struggle with it so much. Also, the mother isn’t stupid, but until the very end of the show she continues to be made fun of by Adam. I guess when we humanise her, rather than focus on him and how clever and funny he is (which is what the audience is encouraged to do) - it’s clear just how cruel it is. It’s ok for us to laugh at what we laugh at, but we should consider why we think some things are funny and some things aren’t I guess. And that’s different for every person.
Thanks for taking the time to challenge my comments. I struggle to hear outside my echo chamber (although my kids are working on that) and I like to think I'm clever because I "get" a particular humour. And that's elitist in itself. You're right about seeing the humanity in others. "To understand everything is to forgive everything"
I hear you. I’m glad it resonates. I personally feel like it’s marketed as a comedy drama and the fourth wall breaks seem designed to be funny asides. But maybe I’m wrong in that and maybe it is actually about doctors who lose sight of who their patients are and just see them as bodies to expel babies. I have watched the whole series but I have been wrong many times before on where humour is meant to hit on certain things. I do think it may serve as a reality check for some who might call for tax cuts, it’s just a shame it dehumanises those who have fought all along for better health funding.
Thank you so much for writing and sharing this, it was very insightful! I had a cord prolapse with my first baby. Our midwife saved our baby’s life. It was a life-changing event that could have ended in the worst, and it makes me feel super icky hearing it as the butt of a joke, let alone all the other experiences that people go through.
I thought a lot about the women I’ve known who have been through similar, and I know how I am someone who hears those stories maybe more than others - but that too is a problem. The trauma is so hidden. We don’t talk about it. So when we see something that does show it in media...and it’s reduced to that...well...
I had super high expectations of this one as I actually really loved the book (and the 'sequel'). Adam in the book (and I guess real life since it's a memoir) is much much less of a douchewhale IMO. Yes, it was a brutally honest look into the NHS and how horrid they treat their healthcare workers, which i think is a good thing. I try to see the TV series with that lens on, but I see what you mean about women being the joke in it.
Yeah I definitely think we need to highlight how brutal the public healthcare system can be to doctors and healthcare workers, but I think the show renders everyone but Adam invisible. I haven’t read the book, I stated it but the tone didn’t feel right for me. But I didn’t give it a good, honest go - just picked it up and put it down. To me the most interesting character is Shruti and she isn’t in the book is she? (Sorry, had to delete comment because I can’t edit comments and my brain is mush).
Not sure about Shruti as it's been a couple of years since I read it and I think he renamed all his long suffering friends and colleagues to Harry Potter character names (...i could be making that up, im tired 😑) . It's actually exerpts from the diary he had to keep as a junior doctor so that's why the book is very centered on him, from the episodes I've seen it really doesn't do that well.
I just looked it up. Turns out she was invented for the TV adaptation though I found her a very believable character, in that she’s constantly insulted by men who aren’t as smart as she is lol
It was interesting to see what Dr Morgan Edwards said about this show in her insta stories, basically it's a good look at a junior doctors life but shame it was in that setting with pregnant and birthing ppl. I haven't watched yet. I read the book years ago and really enjoyed it but I wonder if I looked back at it now would I feel differently? I appreciate your writing so much as you challenge me to think outside my experience and have a lot more empathy. I had pretty good birthing experiences in hospitals but even so had my moments of feeling helpless, powerless and invisible. That research you cited about the gender pain gap is just so infuriating.
Thank you so much ❤️ that means a lot. I think junior doctors go through so much. I remember during the strikes - the stories of what they were going through (probably still going through) were horrific.
Thank you! I had put this on my watch list as I saw a good review but hadn’t heard much else. I am 7 months pregnant so will now take it OFF the watch list permanently.
When I saw the trailer I automatically knew that I would not watch it (mostly due to birth trauma I avoid birth related content), but thanks for confirming it's as terrible and disrespectful as it looks. Such a missed opportunity to show the amazing midwives and doctors that push themselves so hard to deliver care. The real black comedy is how low we pay these highly skilled professionals and the dangerous conditions we expect them to deliver exceptional care within.
To be honest, with two not great vaginal birth and endometriosis, I get what you're saying. However I also used to be a health professional and I've seen this system from the inside.
It's the inability to have enough time to care that is evident in this series for me.
It's the utter exhaustion and responsibility without much help.
I absolutely get what you're saying, and I definitely wasn't happy with the forceps scene either but it is very very accurate for the NHS and our health system.
Yes, that’s absolutely true. People just don’t understand how bad public systems can be when they are so under funded and under resourced and health workers are forced to do the impossible. ❤️
I don't watch a lot of TV so I had not heard of this show. Needless to say, having been on the receiving end of the bias, I don't think I'll be searching out this particular show to watch.
Bloody hell, its 2022. I experienced plenty of shitty stuff as a junior doctor back in 1977, but this sounds even worse. V unfunny. Revolting in fact, reinforcing dangerous stereotypes and behaviour.
I could say a lot. I've got through about half of the first episode and really don't want to watch more. I find it deeply unfunny - you described it so well. It may sound silly (what did I expect?) but I am distressed by the bad medicine and bad behaviour of an apparently burned out chaotic smartarse. He is careless and reckless.
The issues are very familiar: power and how its wielded in relationships - senior and junior doctors, nurses and doctors, doctors and nurses and patients and families, etc; urgency, crisis and overload; patriarchal systems and misogyny in medicine generally and most distressingly in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. His behaviour as part of these is repugnant.
The woman junior doctor is surprisingly passive. There weren't so many of us when I was a junior (12 women out of 60 in my med school class) and people would comment - a woman doctor! But we organised a self assertion group and women learning about our bodies was part of the feminist wave. The way he failed her was appalling, and she seems like a stereotype that I don't recall.
Healthy humour in distressing settings can soften pain by acknowledging the awfulness and our shared humanity - so we can laugh together. What I have seen seems cruel and voyeuristic. And, surprise, surprise - women are the props.
Thank you for sharing this. I think that you’ve hit the nail on the head around how humour can soften pain but it must acknowledge the awfulness AND our shared humanity. Without that, as you say, we can’t laugh together. We can’t heal. We can’t come together to make change. So well said.
I thought I’d share this I was sent anonymously from a doctor because I think she makes a really good point about the time period of the piece - “This is a great take. I’m a GP, and I loved the book, but I am hurt by the treatment of women played for laughs and the dehumanised nature of the patients in general. Thanks for writing. It is important to consider that it is a period piece - I hadn’t finished highschool when it is set, and I’ve been a doctor for 9 years now. Things are improving, more women are doctors, and people are better supported generally.”
Emily you’ve described this all so well. That’s exactly how I felt after watching the first episode. Thank you for articulating this.
The thing I found a bit weird is that I read his book, and have read other ones by him, and really enjoyed them, felt that Kay is a heartfelt person. I don’t know if something was lost in translation when making the tv show, or I somehow missed any dehumanisation in the first place.
One sensation I had after watching the first episode (I couldn’t face watching any more) was a familiar sense of being a killjoy and a nag, because the show got so many glowing reviews and I couldn’t understand it. I wanted to express my confusion and hurt but also felt I shouldn’t, because I must have it wrong; my reaction must be wrong. It makes me realise how much these ‘killjoy’ and ‘nag’ stereotypes must have their origin in women being supremely unheard, unseen and disregarded.
Arohanui, I was very worried about sharing this review because I felt the same. I was really looking forward to watching the show as I believe it’s crucial to show how underfunded and under resourced the system is. And I felt it was important. So I saw it before it was on TVNZ and I was worried I’d be seen as a killjoy given the fawning reviews. So I appreciate your comment. I see you ❤️
Yea, think I'll pass, thanks for watching that first ep for me!
On the pain thing... Medicine seems to take forever to evolve. Do they not think that many women (and people with a uterus) are in pain every month, so probably actually have a better understanding of pain, and how much pain they can personally tolerate, more than the average male? Oh, now that is a neat study idea, I wonder how a Med Student could research that?
Some of the linked studies are fascinating. I fear it’s more to do with the stereotype that women are hysterical and unable to cope with pain and that men are stoic and can - and therefore they’re believed when they’re in pain, while women are sometimes not.
Yea, which is where Medicine needs to flip the script, though that will likely take our lifetime or more to happen
Thank you so much for this important piece. I think it's really beautifully balanced, actually.
As you know, I wrote in the stuff article saying how I felt so vindicated, so *seen* as a junior doctor when watching this show. The hours, the bullying, the terror, the immense personal sacrifices. The losing of yourself, for a job. It's madness really. I feel tearful thinking about it, and wouldn't recommend it to anyone as a career choice. Clearly I'm immediately transported back to that deep burnout, for those feelings to be so visceral instantly. I've had so much engagement on instagram from people who can't comprehend that it's real the way junior doctors are treated, that it's dramatised for effect. It's not.
I think both you and I see our trauma depicted in this show. Except our trauma's are entirely different.
I am sorry I didn't use my stuff piece to explain the other half of my feelings. 150 words isn't enough to do both sides justice, but I could've done (a lot) better. Because the other half is that I don't identify with his dehumanisation of patients, and especially pregnant people, and it's horrifying. That it was written at a time when things were different - when it was socially acceptable to talk this way (anyone else cringe at old Friends episodes, but used to laugh along?). But mainly that its depiction of pregnant people as being a nuisance, as being vessels for birth, as being silly and incapable and not worthy of conversation was never ok, but is thankfully immensely different now (although not always, absolutely).
Thank you for writing this and putting this side of the story so beautifully into words!
Please don’t be sorry! You do so much incredible mahi and none of us have the ability to represent every angle (also as you can see from my thousand word reviews I can’t do anything in 150 words!!) I think the plight of junior doctors is really, really hidden and I’ve been thinking a lot about how I haven’t heard much since the last strike action. I think the show is really important, particularly in the final episodes in showing just how enormous and tragic that toll can be when we don’t care for, protect and appreciate our health care workers. Arohanui x love your work x
I binged it on a plane recently, and really enjoyed it, though wasn't viewing it through this lens. Your review gave me pause. I can see where you are coming from, though I think I may just view it differently because of my different life experiences.
I profoudly enjoyed the book, and found it deeply moving. Honestly, it's phenomenal. It made me both laugh and cry, which is really saying something (I put it up there with Bluey "Sleepytime" and the final episode of "Get Krackin'", if that resonates with anyone!).
I might try to return to the book. I definitely think we view things differently based on our life experiences - and there are lots of things I know I won’t like. This one surprised me because I was looking forward to it. But my sensitivity to it - is definitely shaped by my experiences with a chronic pain condition. ❤️
I realised that I actually listened to the audio book version, which is read by Adam Kay. So an even more direct line to the author's thoughts through emphasis, tone, etc. I wonder how much that contributed to my sense of him as a decent human being, rather than a misogynistic asshole?
I watched the first episode while in hospital with my newborn, alone for the night undergoing treatment for jaundice, feeling pretty miserable. My only thought was that I hoped the other women in the ward weren't watching this...
❤️❤️ how are you doing?
"But if all the first episode does is cement stereotypes about women and pain," I don't often disagree with you but on this I strongly do. That isn't all the first episode did. Who is it for? People like me .The show and the book is about Adam Kay's experience of the NHS. Having limited experience of working in the NHS myself (and the more extensive experience of four vaginal deliveries) the characterisation of medics and parents is pretty accurate. The show is about the desperation behind the humour. And it's a harsh reality check for all of us who might call for tax cuts. Similar comments were made about Don't Look Up - it's not funny. Maybe it's not meant to be and that's the point.
I also think not all television is “for” everyone and that’s ok. So if this show is just for doctors and healthcare workers that does make it worthy. I just hope that context is understood, it reminds me of that quote “If the person on the gallows makes a grim joke, that's gallows humour. If someone in the crowd makes a joke, that's part of the execution.” In newsrooms I’ve worked in the humour was jet black, but we were careful around who we made those jokes around...and maybe this speaks to a context collapse in the same way?
Now that is a very good point - context collapse. But in this case couldn't that also be patronising? Doesn't that make the humour 'elitist'? And exposing 'in jokes' in the medical world has confronted medics and forced them to account for notes like "FLK" and "NFP" (funny looking kid and normal for Plymouth). Humour is a tricky field. I'm darned if I know if it's ok to laugh at Ricky Gervais' SuperNature. And the show's 'stupid' mother isn't so stupid.
The comparison to Ricky Gervais is a good one I think. I think he really delights in being cruel and presenting himself as “one of the people” when really he is just punching down. And that’s what I see in the show too. The butt of every joke is the women patients who are extremely vulnerable and have far less power, far less privilege. The humour isn’t elitist it’s simplistic and easy, because punching down is just that - it’s the bottom of the barrel when it comes to humour. I think most patients know many doctors laugh at them or have in jokes about them but it’s when that impacts care that it becomes an issue. And that’s kind of Adam’s story to me, and maybe that’s why I struggle with it so much. Also, the mother isn’t stupid, but until the very end of the show she continues to be made fun of by Adam. I guess when we humanise her, rather than focus on him and how clever and funny he is (which is what the audience is encouraged to do) - it’s clear just how cruel it is. It’s ok for us to laugh at what we laugh at, but we should consider why we think some things are funny and some things aren’t I guess. And that’s different for every person.
Thanks for taking the time to challenge my comments. I struggle to hear outside my echo chamber (although my kids are working on that) and I like to think I'm clever because I "get" a particular humour. And that's elitist in itself. You're right about seeing the humanity in others. "To understand everything is to forgive everything"
I’ve really loved chatting to you and it’s challenged my thinking as well and I so appreciate that ❤️
I hear you. I’m glad it resonates. I personally feel like it’s marketed as a comedy drama and the fourth wall breaks seem designed to be funny asides. But maybe I’m wrong in that and maybe it is actually about doctors who lose sight of who their patients are and just see them as bodies to expel babies. I have watched the whole series but I have been wrong many times before on where humour is meant to hit on certain things. I do think it may serve as a reality check for some who might call for tax cuts, it’s just a shame it dehumanises those who have fought all along for better health funding.
Thank you so much for writing and sharing this, it was very insightful! I had a cord prolapse with my first baby. Our midwife saved our baby’s life. It was a life-changing event that could have ended in the worst, and it makes me feel super icky hearing it as the butt of a joke, let alone all the other experiences that people go through.
I thought a lot about the women I’ve known who have been through similar, and I know how I am someone who hears those stories maybe more than others - but that too is a problem. The trauma is so hidden. We don’t talk about it. So when we see something that does show it in media...and it’s reduced to that...well...
I had super high expectations of this one as I actually really loved the book (and the 'sequel'). Adam in the book (and I guess real life since it's a memoir) is much much less of a douchewhale IMO. Yes, it was a brutally honest look into the NHS and how horrid they treat their healthcare workers, which i think is a good thing. I try to see the TV series with that lens on, but I see what you mean about women being the joke in it.
Yeah I definitely think we need to highlight how brutal the public healthcare system can be to doctors and healthcare workers, but I think the show renders everyone but Adam invisible. I haven’t read the book, I stated it but the tone didn’t feel right for me. But I didn’t give it a good, honest go - just picked it up and put it down. To me the most interesting character is Shruti and she isn’t in the book is she? (Sorry, had to delete comment because I can’t edit comments and my brain is mush).
Not sure about Shruti as it's been a couple of years since I read it and I think he renamed all his long suffering friends and colleagues to Harry Potter character names (...i could be making that up, im tired 😑) . It's actually exerpts from the diary he had to keep as a junior doctor so that's why the book is very centered on him, from the episodes I've seen it really doesn't do that well.
I just looked it up. Turns out she was invented for the TV adaptation though I found her a very believable character, in that she’s constantly insulted by men who aren’t as smart as she is lol
I'm on episode 6, poor Shruti is burned out as hell and new baby Doctor wears it.
It’s a very devastating episode.
It was interesting to see what Dr Morgan Edwards said about this show in her insta stories, basically it's a good look at a junior doctors life but shame it was in that setting with pregnant and birthing ppl. I haven't watched yet. I read the book years ago and really enjoyed it but I wonder if I looked back at it now would I feel differently? I appreciate your writing so much as you challenge me to think outside my experience and have a lot more empathy. I had pretty good birthing experiences in hospitals but even so had my moments of feeling helpless, powerless and invisible. That research you cited about the gender pain gap is just so infuriating.
Thank you so much ❤️ that means a lot. I think junior doctors go through so much. I remember during the strikes - the stories of what they were going through (probably still going through) were horrific.
Thank you! I had put this on my watch list as I saw a good review but hadn’t heard much else. I am 7 months pregnant so will now take it OFF the watch list permanently.
So painfully accurate 😔
When I saw the trailer I automatically knew that I would not watch it (mostly due to birth trauma I avoid birth related content), but thanks for confirming it's as terrible and disrespectful as it looks. Such a missed opportunity to show the amazing midwives and doctors that push themselves so hard to deliver care. The real black comedy is how low we pay these highly skilled professionals and the dangerous conditions we expect them to deliver exceptional care within.
To be honest, with two not great vaginal birth and endometriosis, I get what you're saying. However I also used to be a health professional and I've seen this system from the inside.
It's the inability to have enough time to care that is evident in this series for me.
It's the utter exhaustion and responsibility without much help.
I absolutely get what you're saying, and I definitely wasn't happy with the forceps scene either but it is very very accurate for the NHS and our health system.
PS: wish there had been a warning on it. The 25 week c section was pretty upsetting.
Yes, that’s absolutely true. People just don’t understand how bad public systems can be when they are so under funded and under resourced and health workers are forced to do the impossible. ❤️
I don't watch a lot of TV so I had not heard of this show. Needless to say, having been on the receiving end of the bias, I don't think I'll be searching out this particular show to watch.
Bloody hell, its 2022. I experienced plenty of shitty stuff as a junior doctor back in 1977, but this sounds even worse. V unfunny. Revolting in fact, reinforcing dangerous stereotypes and behaviour.
I’d definitely be keen to know what you think of it as a doctor ❤️
I could say a lot. I've got through about half of the first episode and really don't want to watch more. I find it deeply unfunny - you described it so well. It may sound silly (what did I expect?) but I am distressed by the bad medicine and bad behaviour of an apparently burned out chaotic smartarse. He is careless and reckless.
The issues are very familiar: power and how its wielded in relationships - senior and junior doctors, nurses and doctors, doctors and nurses and patients and families, etc; urgency, crisis and overload; patriarchal systems and misogyny in medicine generally and most distressingly in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. His behaviour as part of these is repugnant.
The woman junior doctor is surprisingly passive. There weren't so many of us when I was a junior (12 women out of 60 in my med school class) and people would comment - a woman doctor! But we organised a self assertion group and women learning about our bodies was part of the feminist wave. The way he failed her was appalling, and she seems like a stereotype that I don't recall.
Healthy humour in distressing settings can soften pain by acknowledging the awfulness and our shared humanity - so we can laugh together. What I have seen seems cruel and voyeuristic. And, surprise, surprise - women are the props.
Thank you for sharing this. I think that you’ve hit the nail on the head around how humour can soften pain but it must acknowledge the awfulness AND our shared humanity. Without that, as you say, we can’t laugh together. We can’t heal. We can’t come together to make change. So well said.