Linda H Pololi1, Robert T Brennan2, Janet T Civian3, Sandra Shea4, Emma Brennan-Wydra5, Arthur T Evans6. 1. Director, National Initiative on Gender, Culture and Leadership in Medicine: C-Change, Brandeis University, Waltham, Mass. Electronic address: lpololi@brandeis.edu. 2. Research Associate, Boston College, School of Social Work, Chestnut Hill, Mass. 3. Senior Analyst, Brandeis University, Women's Studies Research Center, Waltham, Mass. 4. Consultant, CIR Policy and Education Initiative, New York, NY. 5. Assessment Program Manager, Yale School of Medicine Teaching and Learning Center, New Haven, CT. 6. Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY.
Abstract
PURPOSE: We report on the extent of sexual harassment among residents and examine its relationship to specialty and program year and effects. METHODS: Using the C-Change Resident Survey, we surveyed residents in 34 internal medicine, pediatrics, and general surgery programs in 14 academic medical centers (AMCs). A total of 1708 residents completed the survey (70% response-rate); 51% (n = 879) were women. Respondents reported unwanted sexual comments, attention, or advances by a superior or colleagues within the last 2 years. Measures of vitality and ethical or moral distress were included in the surveys. RESULTS: Rates of sexual harassment reported by women differed across the 34 programs, with an interquartile range of 0%-11%. Residents in pediatrics had the lowest frequencies of sexual harassment (mean 2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0%, 4%). Residents in internal medicine had higher rates of sexual harassment (mean 7%, 95% CI 1%, 25%). Residents in surgery had the highest rates (mean 12%, 95% CI 2%, 33%). Sexual harassment was associated with lower levels of vitality and higher ethical or moral distress (both, P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Sexual harassment is more common for women residents in Internal Medicine and Surgery programs. The adverse effects of sexual harassment on female residents detracts from an institution's professional workforce.
PURPOSE: We report on the extent of sexual harassment among residents and examine its relationship to specialty and program year and effects. METHODS: Using the C-Change Resident Survey, we surveyed residents in 34 internal medicine, pediatrics, and general surgery programs in 14 academic medical centers (AMCs). A total of 1708 residents completed the survey (70% response-rate); 51% (n = 879) were women. Respondents reported unwanted sexual comments, attention, or advances by a superior or colleagues within the last 2 years. Measures of vitality and ethical or moral distress were included in the surveys. RESULTS: Rates of sexual harassment reported by women differed across the 34 programs, with an interquartile range of 0%-11%. Residents in pediatrics had the lowest frequencies of sexual harassment (mean 2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0%, 4%). Residents in internal medicine had higher rates of sexual harassment (mean 7%, 95% CI 1%, 25%). Residents in surgery had the highest rates (mean 12%, 95% CI 2%, 33%). Sexual harassment was associated with lower levels of vitality and higher ethical or moral distress (both, P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Sexual harassment is more common for women residents in Internal Medicine and Surgery programs. The adverse effects of sexual harassment on female residents detracts from an institution's professional workforce.
Authors: Arianna L Gianakos; Julie A Freischlag; Angela M Mercurio; R Sterling Haring; Dawn M LaPorte; Mary K Mulcahey; Lisa K Cannada; John G Kennedy Journal: World J Surg Date: 2022-01-10 Impact factor: 3.282