Gender Differences In Health And Social Care Essay

The number of men entering Nursing profession has increased worldwide this is a right step to make it gender balanced. However, debates about how intimate care would be provided to the female clients specifically clients who come to seek reproductive and maternal health has emerged as a consequence (Madoka et al., 2006). Despite the consistent changes that have impact on the health care system, the sex imbalance of the nursing profession remains constant (Villeneuve, 1994). This constant sex imbalance has both social and historical rationale. In the historical perspective when Florence nightingale was modernizing nursing in 1859, males were purposefully excluded from entering the profession (Evans, 2004; Mackintosh, 1997). It was strongly

Studies have also found that gender is also a main factor along race, age, class, etc shapes how provider communicate with clients, how clients respond and the degree to which they believe and interpret what clients say to them” (Govender. V, June 2007). This hurdle in communication made me curious about finding out the gap and solution to this serious issue. Gender customs, which are defined in every culture, widely impacts on the relationship between the care giver and an opposite sex client. On analyzing I came to a point that this hesitation in addressing reproductive health issues with a male care provider could be a reason of strong societal and cultural norms. This problem has a very profound impact on care in the eastern countries where the gap of ratio between Health care providers and patients is already too large. Furthermore female patients, giving child birth do not feel restful being handled by the male nurses; especially during delivery. Their existence in the delivery room is disliked by many women and on the other hand male nursing student also find this experience stressful because of the ignorance which they face from the patient and dislike from their attendants. Liang et al. (2004) reported that the main barriers for male nurses were social values,

This perception also discourages male nurses and sows a seed of fear and anxiety in them. In my specific case, the discussion could have brought to a more meaningful outcome if I was more aware of the setting as it was my first week in any obstetrics and gynaecological setting. Instructors can also play a profound role in reducing the level of anxiety in the students as well as in the patients in some cases. If instructor accompanies students in initial rounds and interviews, students would feel a sense of support from their instructors. However, it is a challenging area and would need years of practice and experience to be confident about communicating and providing personal care to opposite sex clients . In coming future if I encounter a client with this issue of hesitation again I can come up with demonstrating cards, some more activities and effective teaching methodologies about reproductive health for the purpose to desensitize the environment as well as to generate confidence in the mother. Even If i work out on my presentation and skills, there are still some societal values and cultural norms which would be creating hindrance in making a good therapeutic relationship between client and male nurse in obstetrics and gynaecology