New Book Captures the Reality of Life in Medicine from a Woman's Perspective

WASHINGTON - Sept. 21, 2023 - PRLog -- "Eye-opening…" "A really good guide, not just to being a woman in medicine, but to being anyone in medicine, or really anyone in a very time-demanding profession." — Julie Rovner, Chief Washington Correspondent, Kaiser Health News, 8/31/2023

"The Game Plan: A Woman's Guide to Becoming a Doctor and Living a Life in Medicine" speaks to the hearts and minds of girls — from middle school to medical school — who want to learn about the rewards and frustrations of medicine from a woman's perspective. Drs. Diane Boykin, M.D.; Leah Matthews, M.D., MPH; Sylvia E. Morris, M.D., MPH; Jessica Osborn, M.D.; and Angela C.B. Walker, M.D., first came together while studying at Georgetown University School of Medicine in the late 1990s. They quickly learned the significance of having a support system rooted in a singular goal of becoming a female doctor. Throughout their more than 30-year friendship, the women have shared strategies for succeeding in classes, cheered each other on through residencies, offered advice on balancing family responsibilities while addressing adversity in the healthcare workforce, encouraged each other's ideas for achieving mental wellness, and dreams of writing a book.

"We have watched each other mature over the past three decades in ways that are dynamic to us as women and women of color," said Dr. Morris. "It was actually during one of our annual getaways that we realized we needed to dig into our collective and individual experiences to offer the knowledge that we have obtained to help young girls who aspire to wear a white coat one day."

In 2019, data from the Association of American Medical Colleges showed that women outnumbered men in U.S. medical schools for the first time. Research published in the JAMA Internal Medicine in 2017 suggested that patients treated by female doctors have better health outcomes than those treated by male doctors. Other recent studies showed that male doctors are sued more than women doctors; other research showed that male doctors tend to earn higher salaries than female doctors. These rationales present challenges and opportunities for women to pursue careers in medicine.

"While the number of female practicing physicians and graduating medical students is on the rise, women continue to face unique factors that can impact patient and career outcomes," said Dr. Walker. "That's why we collaborated on this book that illustrates the importance of developing a game plan that addresses enjoying science, attending medical school, entering residency, compensation expectations, work-life balance and career trajectory."

The book, "The Game Plan: A Woman's Guide to Becoming a Doctor and Living a Life in Medicine," is available now on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5YM8SFJ and visit https://adjlsllc.com/authors/ to learn more about the doctors.