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Published on: January 15, 2017
Harassment and Burnout in Academic Pediatric Anesthesiology
K Karisa Walker1, Srijaya K Reddy2, Nina Deutsch3
1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Sexual harassment is prevalent in pediatric anesthesiology, affecting 22% of physicians surveyed. Experiencing sexual harassment is linked to increased depersonalization, highlighting the need for safer work environments in the field.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Workplace Harassment
- Physician Well-being
Background:
- The #MeToo movement has increased awareness of sexual harassment (SH) in professional settings.
- Previous research indicates SH is a significant issue within medical training and practice.
- SH has documented long-term negative personal and professional consequences for individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of sexual harassment (SH) and non-sexual harassment (NSH) among pediatric anesthesiology fellowship program directors (PDs), associate PDs (APDs), and fellows.
- To investigate the correlation between experiences of SH and burnout, specifically depersonalization and emotional exhaustion.
- To compare harassment experiences across different career stages within pediatric anesthesiology fellowships.
Main Methods:
- A survey on sexual harassment (SH) and non-sexual harassment (NSH) was distributed to PDs, APDs, and fellows in pediatric anesthesiology.
- The Maslach Burnout Toolkit (MBT) was used to assess burnout levels among participants.
- Data from 163 respondents (41 PDs, 13 APDs, 109 fellows) were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests (Chi-square, Fisher's exact test).
Main Results:
- Twenty-two percent of respondents reported experiencing SH, 28% witnessed SH, and 42% experienced NSH.
- Program directors (PDs) reported higher rates of experiencing or witnessing SH and NSH compared to fellows.
- Physicians who experienced SH were more likely to report depersonalization; those experiencing NSH reported increased emotional exhaustion and depersonalization.
Conclusions:
- Harassment, including SH and NSH, is a common issue in pediatric anesthesiology and may contribute to physician burnout.
- While a lower incidence of SH among fellows may suggest environmental improvements, continued efforts are necessary to ensure a safe workplace.
- Addressing harassment is crucial for the well-being and retention of physicians in pediatric anesthesiology.
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