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Incidence, Nature, and Consequences of Oncologists' Experiences With Sexual Harassment
Ishwaria M Subbiah1, Merry Jennifer Markham2, Stephanie L Graff3
1Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation, and Integrative Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
Purpose:
The incidence and impact of workplace sexual harassment (SH) of oncologists requires rigorous characterization.
Methods:
Oncologists identified by ASCO's Research Survey Pool and social media outreach completed validated measures of SH (encompassing gender harassment, unwanted sexual attention, and sexual coercion) and four outcomes (mental health, job satisfaction, turnover intentions, and sense of workplace safety) over the previous year. Multivariable regression models assess the impact of SH on the four outcomes.
Results:
Of 271 cisgender respondents (153 women and 118 men), 189 (70%) experienced SH in the past year alone by peers and/or superiors (80% of women v 56% of men, P < .0001). Specifically, 186 (69%) experienced gender harassment (79% of women, 55% of men, P < .0001), 45 (17%) unwanted sexual attention (22% of women, 9% of men, P = .005), and 7 (3%) sexual coercion (3% of women, 2% of men, P = .42). SH by patients and/or families in the past year was experienced by 143 (53% overall: 67% of women, 35% of men, P < .0001). Specifically, 141 (52%) experienced gender harassment (66% of women, 34% of men, P < .0001), 15 (6%) unwanted sexual attention (5% of women, 6% of men, P = .80), and 3 (1%) sexual coercion (1% of women, 1% of men, P = .72). Multivariable analysis showed that past-year SH by peers and/or superiors was significantly associated with decreased mental health (β = -0.45, P = .004), sense of workplace safety (β = -0.98, P < .001), and job satisfaction (β = -0.69, P = .001), along with increased turnover intentions (β = 0.93, P < .0001). Past-year SH by patients and/or families was significantly associated with decreased mental health (β = -0.41, P = .002), sense of workplace safety (β = -0.42, P = .014), and increased turnover intentions (β = 0.58, P = .0004). There were no significant interactions between the respondents' gender and the SH scores in any of the four outcome models, signifying no difference in impact between men and women oncologists.
Conclusion:
This study using validated measures of SH to systematically characterize oncologists' workplace experience demonstrates substantial incidence of SH in the previous one year alone and its impact on men and women oncologists, informing the need for and design of effective protective and preventive measures.
Insights
Workplace sexual harassment (SH) is prevalent among oncologists, impacting mental health, job satisfaction, and safety. These findings highlight the urgent need for protective measures in oncology workplaces.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Professionalism
- Workplace Harassment
Background:
- Workplace sexual harassment (SH) is a significant issue affecting healthcare professionals.
- Characterizing the incidence and impact of SH among oncologists is crucial for understanding its effects on this specific medical specialty.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of workplace sexual harassment (SH) experienced by oncologists over the past year.
- To assess the impact of SH on oncologists' mental health, job satisfaction, sense of workplace safety, and turnover intentions.
Main Methods:
- Oncologists completed validated measures assessing SH (gender harassment, unwanted sexual attention, sexual coercion) and four outcome variables.
- Multivariable regression models were used to analyze the association between SH and the measured outcomes.
- Data were collected from oncologists identified through ASCO's Research Survey Pool and social media outreach.
Main Results:
- 70% of oncologists experienced SH in the past year, with higher rates among women.
- SH from peers/superiors was linked to decreased mental health, safety, and job satisfaction, and increased turnover intentions.
- SH from patients/families also negatively impacted mental health, safety, and increased turnover intentions, with no gender-based difference in impact.
Conclusions:
- Workplace sexual harassment is a substantial problem for oncologists, affecting both men and women.
- The findings underscore the necessity for developing and implementing effective protective and preventive strategies against SH in oncology settings.
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