Some members of the medical community have called the video, which has now been removed from the Figs website, misogynistic and disrespectful to female medical professionals.
“We are outraged that in 2020, women physicians and doctors of osteopathic medicine are still attacked in thoughtless and ignorant marketing campaigns,” the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine said in an Oct. 13 news release. “A company like Figs that asks us to spend money on its product should be ashamed for promoting these stereotypes. We demand the respect we’ve earned AND a public apology.”
The “blatantly misogynistic” ad is especially harmful to female physicians, who experience sexism and have to “constantly validate” themselves, Stephanie Markle, DO, an intensive care physician and surgeon at Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Ascension Borgess Hospital, told ABC News.
“A lot of you guys have pointed out an insensitive video we had on our site — we are incredibly sorry for any hurt this has caused you, especially our female DOs (who are amazing!),” the company tweeted Oct. 13. “FIGS is a female-founded company whose only mission is to make you guys feel awesome.”
More articles on physicians:
Prevalence of burnout among surgical residents depends on its definition, study finds
12% of physicians are considering leaving medicine and 7 other findings about the US physician COVID-19 experience
Hawaii hospital conducts 26 COVID-19 tests after ER physician contracts virus
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.