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Sexual harassment in medical training
M Komaromy1, A B Bindman, R J Haber
1Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0903.
The New England Journal of Medicine
|February 4, 1993
Summary
Sexual harassment is prevalent among medical trainees, impacting their learning environment. Training institutions must address this issue to improve medical education and patient care.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Sexual harassment is a recognized national concern within the medical field.
- Prevalence and institutional response to sexual harassment of medical trainees are understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of sexual harassment among internal medicine residents.
- To investigate the types, effects, and reporting of sexual harassment experienced by trainees.
Main Methods:
- Anonymous surveys were distributed to 133 internal medicine residents.
- Residents reported experiences of sexual harassment during medical school and residency.
Main Results:
- 62% of residents responded, with 73% of women and 22% of men reporting harassment.
- Women experienced more physical harassment from higher-status individuals.
- Harassment created hostile environments for most affected trainees, but few reported it due to lack of confidence or self-resolution.
Conclusions:
- A significant number of medical trainees experience sexual harassment, negatively affecting their education.
- Medical training institutions must implement strategies to address sexual harassment and its consequences.