Mitigating the gender gap: How “DOCTOR” badges affect physician identity

Association of Perceived Role Misidentification With Use of Role Identity Badges Among Resident Physicians

“…In addition, the results are aligned with findings from a similar study at Mayo Clinic, which reported that role misidentification by patients, nonphysician team members, and other physicians decreased significantly after the distribution of a role identity badge to residents in multiple specialties . Moreover, multiple studies have documented that female residents have higher rates of reported role misidentification than male residents and experience more pronounced reductions in the frequency of role misidentification after the distribution of role identity badges …”

“…Frequent role misidentification was associated with burnout . Similar results have been replicated at other academic medical centers …”

“…6 Moreover, multiple studies have documented that female residents have higher rates of reported role misidentification than male residents and experience more pronounced reductions in the frequency of role misidentification after the distribution of role identity badges. [6][7][8][9] The proportion of residents who reported role misidentification decreased over the course of the study, including among residents who did not receive or wear a badge. This finding could be explained by improvements in resident confidence over the academic year or may be associated with selection bias given that 38% of residents who completed the pre-badge distribution survey did not complete the post-badge distribution survey.…”

“… 6 Moreover, multiple studies have documented that female residents have higher rates of reported role misidentification than male residents and experience more pronounced reductions in the frequency of role misidentification after the distribution of role identity badges. 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 …”

“…5 Similar results have been replicated at other academic medical centers. [6][7][8] Given the crisis of increasing burnout among residents, an intervention targeting role misidentification offers an opportunity to improve resident well-being. In a pilot study, role identity badges displaying "Doctor" were distributed to internal medicine residents; badge disbursement was found to be associated with reduced rates of role misidentification and improved day-to-day resident work experience, particularly among female residents.…”