‘Dr Barbie needs to get serious about PPE’ and represent all specialities if she is to inspire the surgeons of tomorrow.This is according to a researcher who has unveiled a critical lack of diversity and safety preparedness in the world of Barbie’s medical professionals.
In a paper published by the BMJ, Katherine Klamer, a grant writer for the radiation oncology division of the Indiana University School of Medicine, examined almost 90 Barbie dolls and found a striking imbalance – most treated paediatric patients, there was a lack of racial diversity and essential safety accessories like face masks were overlooked.
Only two nurses and one doctor Barbie doll were depicted treating adult patients.
Klamer also found that Barbie brand medical professional dolls treated children with only three dolls working with adults. 59% of the Barbie brand dolls were white, 28% were black, 6% were East Asian, and none had any physical disabilities.
All Barbie brand doctors appeared to have no specialisation or were paediatricians with no apparent sub-specialisation. Analysis showed that the dolls’ safety accessories were inadequate for standard practice; 98% of the Barbie brand dolls came with stethoscopes, yet only 4% had face masks.
Out of the 86 female Barbie brand dolls, half wore high-heeled shoes.
She noted: ‘The high number of female doctor, nurse, and dentist dolls, in both Barbie and comparison groups, wearing high-heeled shoes was particularly concerning.’
In a LinkedIn post about the paper, she commented: ‘What has this rigorous research taught me? That Dr Barbie needs to get serious about PPE and expand the kinds of medicine she practises to keep breaking glass ceilings. Come for the Barbenheimer and GI Joe jokes, and stay for the discussion on preventing laboratory accidents!’
In an analysis of the findings, Cornelia Griggs, paediatric surgeon and assistant professor in surgery; Sophia McKinley, surgical oncologist; Erika Rangel, gastrointestinal surgeon and surgical intensivist; and Sareh Parangi, endocrine surgeon and professor of surgery, highlighted the need for Barbie to represent varied medical professions.
They write: ‘Perhaps a childhood of playing with neurosurgeon Barbie or trauma surgeon Barbie could inoculate girls against sexist career assumptions and advice. Instead, the current cadre of generalist Barbies that treat primarily children simply reinforces outdated concepts of gendered medical specialties.’
They suggest many surgeons fondly recall performing their first ‘operation’ on a favourite toy.
But they say the range of dolls should be equipped with accurate tools and safety gear to mirror reality while inspiring the next generation.
Klamer’s work urges a vision for a Barbie universe embracing diverse STEM careers, echoing the call for women and underrepresented groups to venture into these fields.
They conclude: ‘We encourage and would welcome the creation of a surgeon Barbie and would be happy to advise Mattel on the correct accompanying equipment and PPE to ensure the doll is realistic and fun!
‘With current workforce demographics, not all young women will grow up knowing a female chemist or orthopaedic surgeon, and without a role model, these careers are difficult for young women to envisage. With an expanded line, Barbies can be inspirational to young girls’ views of surgeons and scientists rather than allowing these careers to be aspirational. What better way than to have Barbie be the first as she has done in the past?’
Photo caption: Barbies dressed in operating room scrubs and white coats modelled after two general surgeons at Mass General Brigham-Newton-Wellesley Hospital: Sheila Partridge and Susana Wishnia.
