There is an increasing percentage of women in the medical profession. The impact which this will have on the medical field is an issue for continuing debate. The reasons for the increase in the number of women who choose the medical profession are complex, as are the possible consequences. There is much prejudice in the debate concerning these issues and this seems to be part of the reason why women encounter more difficulties than men in the journey from medical student to respected member of the profession. Studies in the field caution us to avoid seeing gender as a causal factor and instead to study the importance of gender in the actual interaction of individuals in a specific context.