Female doctors across the globe are sharing bikini photos of themselves in retaliation against a controversial study

Medical professionals across the globe are posting social media snaps of themselves in swimwear in retaliation against a controversial study.

The research, which was published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery’s August 2020 edition, claimed that “inappropriate attire” – including bikinis and fancy dress – was “potentially unprofessional content” that should not be shared on social media by those who worked in medicine.

Three male researchers created fake Facebook, Instagram and Twitter profiles and then searched the social media feeds of young surgeons for photos that fit their criteria.

They also included references on social media to controversial topics such as abortion and gun control and snaps of medics drinking alcohol.

It concluded that: “Young surgeons should be aware of the permanent public exposure of unprofessional content that can be accessed by peers, patients, and current/future employers.”

But the study soon went viral and sparked an intense backlash within the industry, with many interpreting it as a specific attack on female doctors and their personal lives.

The authors have since apologised. Picture: TwitterSource:Twitter

The #MedBikini hashtag emerged in response, with male and female medical professionals alike sharing pictures of themselves in their swimsuits in protest.

Dr Mudit Chowdhary – a chief resident in Radiation Oncology at Rush University in Chicago in the US – was one of many who called for the study to be retracted.

If you are a true #heforshe, then you must speak up against this disturbing study, he tweeted.

3 men created fake social media accounts to purposefully spy on applicants. Worse they are shaming our women physician colleagues for wearing bikinis. #MedTwitter #MedBikini #retraction.

Female medics particularly embraced the hashtag and have overwhelmingly slammed the study.

Last time I checked, I can wear whatever I want. #MedTwitter #medbikini, Dr Kesia Nguyen tweeted alongside her own bikini selfies, while laryngologist Jennifer Rodney MD posted: Enjoying a mimosa in a bathing suit does not change my commitment to my career or to my patients. Physicians deserve to enjoy life too.

Apparently it’s unprofessional for doctors to post social media pics wearing bikinis & drinking alcohol, so here’s me doing both. #MedBikini, Dr Victoria Dooley posted alongside a snap of her in a bathing suit sipping a cocktail.

In response to the outcry, two of the authors, Thomas Cheng and Jeffrey Siracuse, both tweeted the same apology.

Our intent was to empower surgeons to be aware and then personally decide what may be easily available for patients and colleagues to see about us, they wrote.

The article is being retracted. Picture: TwitterSource:Twitter

However, this was not the result. We realise that the definition of professionalism is rapidly changing in medicine and that we need to support trainees and surgeons as our society changes.

We are sorry that we made the young surgeons feel targeted and that we were judgmental.

The journal’s editors also released a public statement and revealed plans to retract the article.

Finally, we offer an apology to every person who has communicated the sadness, anger, and disappointment caused by this article, the statement reads.

We have received an outpouring of constructive commentary on this matter, and we intend to take each point seriously and take resolute steps to improve our review process and increase diversity of our editorial boards.