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"That women are somehow the reason why things dont work when its the healthcare system itself that is overburdened and underfunded."

In emails between councillors of the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation, Professor Dietz wrote: "Our workforce is increasingly vulnerable - because it's increasingly female and not exactly prepared for adversity because school and uni are safe spaces'."

Dr Rhea Liang, a surgeon and researcher whose work has interrogated the experiences of women in surgery, said the statement was wrong on every level.

Gender discrimination and harassment at universities has been well-documented, she said, so the idea that women have somehow been molly-coddled is false."

Asking if women have an 'inability to cope with nastiness' is the wrong question, Dr Liang said. Why does anyone have to put up with nastiness in medicine? All the evidence suggests that a respectful workforce enhances performance.

In some ways the feminisation of the workforce - if you want to call it that - is driving change in the workplace because we are more likely to experience discrimination and harassment and are more likely to call it out.

If Professor Dietz considers this a bad effect then he and I are never going to see eye to eye.

Breast and general surgeon Dr Rhea Liang.Credit:Gold Coast Health

Dr Liang said the professor's assertion women were more expensive to train because they had a shorter work life was also incorrect.

Women have a longer lifespan in medicine we retire at an older age, so we have more longevity in the game, she said.

But do we really want to measure contribution by literally counting the dollars and number of years worked ... or do we want to look at quality of care?

Dr Khot said women were also more likely to take on the less sexy jobs and attract less money.

Dr Liang cautioned against escalating the public attacks.

His comments have been appropriately censured by the president of his college and the public rebuke has been significant, she said.

Professor Dietz is highly regarded for research and strong advocacy for women who have experience of birth trauma, co-founding the Australasian Birth Trauma Association (ABTA).

Several colleagues said they disagreed with the way he conveyed his arguments, but rejected the notion he is sexist, praising his passion and work ethic.

ABTA executive director Amy Dawes said she was deeply disappointed by his statements, recognising the incredible contribution that women make in the medical workforce as well as acknowledging Professor Dietz' own work has likely helped thousands of women.

A University of Sydney spokeswoman said the university did not condone the unacceptable comments of Professor Dietz, but its academics were entitled to express their opinions.

Kate Aubusson is Health Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald.

Rachel Clun is a journalist at The Sydney Morning Herald.

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'Wrong on every level': why female doctors are not the problem - The Age