Development and initial Experience of an online Exchange Platform on Sex and Gender Aspects in Medicine: "GenderMed-Wiki"

Schreitmüller J, Becker J, Zsebedits D, Weskott M, Dehghan-Nayyeri M, Fegeler C, Heue M, Hochleitner M, Kindler-Röhrborn A, Pfleiderer B

Abstract

Using focus groups was a good approach to identify necessary project related changes in "GenderMed-Wiki" in a systematic way. We were able to optimize the development processes of the platform by interdisciplinary debates and qualitative analyses of feedback. This was evaluated by an online questionnaire in a student sample. Our results confirmed that existing knowledge in sex/gender medicine is not known sufficiently und teaching materials are lacking. Sex/gender aspects are often not integrated at most German medical faculties. Students believe that sex/gender medicine is important (in particular when they will work as physician in clinical practice), but at the same time feel that they lack competence in this topic. The goal of "GenderMed-Wiki" is to stimulate the integration of sex/gender aspects in medicine. To achieve this goal is of importance to change the attitudes of many students; the more positive this topic is seen, the more willingly platforms such as "GenderMed-Wiki" will be used. A long-term goal is the full integration of sex/gender aspects into the medical curriculum. To foster sensitization and to increase the level of knowledge, "GenderMed-Wiki" can serve as an important intermediate step. One major challenge of "GenderMed-Wiki" is to keep the platform alive and to win experts from various disciplines as authors to continue to provide an up-to-date collection of articles on many relevant topics.