CME | Too Young, Too Old, Too Bold: Ageism and Sexism in the House of Medicine

This episode of CME On The Go addresses the complex issues of ageism and sexism in medical practice. Topics that are discussed include the historical and ongoing biases in treatment, research, and workplace policies that affect both patients and healthcare professionals. The episode emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing implicit biases, understanding the limitations of existing data, and advocating for more inclusive and supportive policies across the healthcare system.

 

Topics by Timestamp

00:20 Meet the Hosts

00:46 Addressing Concerns About the Episode

02:07 Introduction to Age and Gender in Medicine

03:31 Case Presentation: Ageism and Sexism in Medicine

05:10 Pain Management in Older Adults

08:32 Gender Bias in Medical Research

12:10 Generational Differences in Medicine

17:25 Parental Leave and Gender Expectations

23:45 Senior Physicians and Competency

25:57 Key Takeaways and Gratitude

 

Credit Claiming

https://www.aafp.org/assessment/take/18198/e

 

Learning Objectives

1. Identify and describe how ageism and sexism can impact professional relationships and communication in clinical practice, and explore strategies to mitigate these biases to improve team dynamics and patient care.

2. Discuss the implications of generational differences in work expectations and leadership styles, and evaluate how embracing diverse perspectives can enhance collaboration, reduce burnout, and strengthen the practice of family medicine.

3. Examine institutional policies and cultural norms that affect equity and inclusion in medicine—such as fitness-to-practice evaluations and gendered assumptions—and explore how addressing these systems can support a more effective and compassionate healthcare workforce.

 

Disclosure: It is the policy of the AAFP that all individuals in a position to control content disclose any relationships with commercial interests upon nomination/invitation of participation. Disclosure documents are reviewed for potential conflicts of interest and, i