On March 8, International Women's Day, we want to celebrate progress. We look back on times that could be described as scandalous today and look ahead to equality for women.
Less than 70 years ago, women in Germany were only allowed to work, open their own bank account or obtain a driving licence with their husband's consent. What seems normal to us today is, from a historical perspective, alarmingly recent. Much of what we take for granted was still new to our parents' or grandparents' generation – or simply not possible. Equality is not a closed chapter; it is an ongoing process.
This change affects not only society and politics. It also affects us: as doctors, researchers, teachers, and students.
When anatomy was still incomplete
Equality begins with visibility – including in medicine.
The correct and complete representation of the female sexual organs, especially the clitoris, has only been standard in medical textbooks for a few years. For decades, it was simplified, shortened or essential details were overlooked. It was not until 2022 that the female bulboclitoral organ was comprehensively described and illustrated for the first time in Prometheus.(1)
Medical excellence begins with precise knowledge. And precision requires equality – including in teaching.
Visibility creates safety and quality
We have big news for you at DocCheck on International Women's Day: we are currently preparing to implement female anatomy in our mixed reality application Corpus.
From the adnexa to the cervix. From vascular supply to innervation. Three-dimensional, interactive, accessible at any time.
Because there is a difference between reading about anatomy and truly understanding it. And because there is a difference between treating female anatomy as a special case and treating it as a natural part of medical education.Corpus creates space for precisely this broadening of perspective.
First studies show progressResearch also shows that diversity is not a ‘nice-to-have’ but a quality factor. Studies show that companies are more successful when women are promoted to leadership positions.(2) A study from healthcare research showed differences in patient outcomes for myocardial infarction: female patients treated by female doctors had a lower mortality rate than those treated by male colleagues. This effect was reduced in doctors who worked more frequently with female patients and colleagues.(3)Progress is also being made in research: the proportion of female researchers is increasing worldwide. Fun fact: women are slightly more likely to be involved in interdisciplinary research.(4)
What does this tell us?Medicine benefits from diversity of perspectives.From exchange on an equal footing.From structural equality.
Progress requires discussionTogether with you, we celebrate progress with a motivated look to the future and a differentiated view of female anatomy in Corpus.
Let us not only celebrate, let us discuss and work together to ensure that equality in medicine does not remain merely a social goal – but becomes a living standard.
