Can of worms here kaya.......I can only speak about the OR, since this is where most of my years of experience happens to be. I honestly would have to say no, male and female members of the OR team are not treated equally. However, it does depend where you work. In a large teaching hospital, it seemed from my perspective the treatment was equal, but in private facilities, the good ole boys club generally reigns supreme. Didn't matter if I had more years of experience, didn't matter if I was the one who knew what was needed and made certain it was available, it was the male OR tech who received the thank you, a job well done, was listened to more quickly,their opinion valued.

damaz. You are right, this is a can of worms... My good friend Dr. Odalis Meidema is a Hispanic female, yet, when we visit patients together I am always referred to as the doctor and she as the nurse, even when we both wear our ID badges. Mines says "student" and hers says "physician, internal medicine." This is not just with patients but with staff as well. There are still many gender issues out there. I think this is a social issue more than a profession issue. I think that with the X-gen, X-Ygen and y2K'rs starting to challenge the baby-boomers and Raganeers, there will be positive changes of equality in the workplace.

Dmaz, I think that it's an education that goes both ways, men should be more open minded and women should more aggressive in speaking up. I mean, if I offend a woman, I expect to be called on it (As long as is directed at the problem and not the individual). I know what you mean, but I have seen more lawsuits addressing this particular problem, I guess that sometimes it takes a slap on wallet to open up ears.