Medical Student Mistreatment-an Obstetrics and Gynecology Perspective: a Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Professionalism in Medicine
• Healthcare Workplace Dynamics

Background:

• Medical student mistreatment is a recognized issue within obstetrics and gynecology clerkships.
• Understanding perceptions of mistreatment across different professional levels is crucial for fostering a supportive learning environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess if professional status, prior mistreatment, ethnicity, or gender influence the perception of mistreatment and its severity in simulated scenarios.
• To establish consensus on what constitutes mistreatment and its severity among medical trainees and attending physicians.

Main Methods:

• Three video vignettes were created to depict potential medical student mistreatment during an obstetrics and gynecology rotation.
• Participants (attending physicians, residents, medical students) completed questionnaires on prior mistreatment and demographics before viewing.
• Post-viewing, participants rated each vignette for mistreatment occurrence and severity.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in mistreatment perception or severity ratings were found based on professional status, prior mistreatment, ethnic minority status, or gender.
• Fifty percent of participants reported experiencing mistreatment as medical students, primarily during their third year.

Conclusions:

• Consensus exists among medical students, residents, and attending physicians regarding the identification of mistreatment and its severity in simulated obstetrics and gynecology scenarios.
• These findings suggest a shared understanding of professional conduct and mistreatment within medical training programs.