More than half of all new doctors encounter some form of sexual harassment during their first year on the job, with a staggering three quarters of new female doctors and a third of new male doctors affected, according to recent research findings. This represents a downward shift from figures reported five to six years ago, yet the high rates remain profoundly unsettling.
The study, published in JAMA Health Forum, was led by a team from the University of Michigan Medical School and the Medical University of South Carolina. It shows a slight improvement in the overall incidence of sexual harassment compared to previous years but highlights the need for further action in medical schools and hospitals to educate about and address sexual harassment in all its forms.
An important aspect of the study is the increase in awareness among new doctors of what constitutes sexual harassment. This increased recognition may be attributed in part to the influence of the #MeToo movement, which has raised awareness about sexual harassment and its prevalence in various professions.
Despite this growing awareness, the study found that recognition of sexual harassment incidents is still not universal. Only about 18% of the group that experienced harassment in 2023 recognized it as such. This indicates a significant gap between experience and recognition, especially among male doctors. Elena Frank, Ph.D., the lead author of the study, notes the importance of challenging deeply entrenched cultural norms that enable sexual and gender-based harassment to persist in the medical field.
The research also revealed that the experiences of sexual harassment vary by medical specialty and location. Surgical and emergency medicine interns were more likely to report harassment compared to those in pediatrics or neurology. Elizabeth Viglianti, M.D., M.P.H., M.Sc., lead author of a related paper in JAMA Network Open, points out the role residency programs and hospitals play in preventing harassment, particularly in surgical training programs where the culture of harassment seems more prevalent.
Profession-related sexual coercion also showed an increase, particularly among female interns. More than 5% of female first-year residents reported feeling pressured to engage in sexual activity for professional gain in 2023, more than doubling the percentage from 2017. For men, the rate remained below 2%.
The study’s authors, which include a diverse team from the University of Michigan and the Medical University of South Carolina, call for administrative action to understand that sexual harassment should not be an accepted part of medical training and that an equitable and safe learning environment is paramount for physicians.
The Intern Health Study, which provided data for this research, is a significant undertaking that enrolls thousands of recent medical school graduates each summer. Participants take surveys and wear activity trackers throughout their intern year, offering valuable insights into the health and experiences of those at the start of their medical careers.
This comprehensive data, derived from nearly 4,000 doctors who completed their intern year in 2017, 2018, or 2023, underscores the crucial need for continued efforts to create a more respectful and safe environment for all medical professionals as they begin their vital work in healthcare.
Relevant articles:
– More than half of all new doctors face some form of sexual harassment in their first year on the job, including nearly three-quarters of all new female doctors and a third of males, a new study finds.
– Sexual harassment prevalent among new doctors in their first year, study reveals, News-Medical.Net, Sat, 23 Mar 2024 02:16:00 GMT
– Nearly one in three female NHS surgeons have been sexually assaulted, survey suggests, The Guardian, Tue, 12 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT
– Two-thirds of physicians and biomedical scientists report harassment on social media, Northwestern Now, Thu, 15 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT