New research unveils that approximately 45% of physicians worldwide have been subjected to sexual harassment from patients. This finding has sparked demands for the provision of panic alarms to medical personnel to deter such misconduct. The study, which analysed data from seven nations and was published in the Internal Medicine Journal, reported varied forms of harassment.
In fact, more than half of female doctors (52.2%) have encountered sexual harassment, showing a higher likelihood of such incidents compared to their male peers (34.4%), academics report. Forms of harassment include unsolicited sexual attention, lewd jokes, unwarranted touching, romantic advances, and inappropriate proposals for dates.
Another challenge faced by these professionals is when patients expose their bodies unnecessarily or respond inappropriately during examinations, such as developing an erection. The study also cited instances of unasked-for sexual remarks during check-ups or unnecessary demands for physical examinations.
This alarming data emerged from a comprehensive review of 22 previously published research materials on the topic from various global locations. The analysis was conducted by Dr. Caroline Kamau-Mitchell of Birkbeck College, part of the University of London.
According to Dr. Kamau-Mitchell, medical institutions and healthcare providers should treat the high rates of patient-perpetrated sexual harassment seriously, taking decisive measures to ensure doctors’ safety. She recommends that facilities equip isolated wards and doctors working night shifts or alone with protections such as CCTV and panic alarms.
The study was deemed “deeply disturbing” by the Royal College of Physicians, the leading UK body for hospital doctors. They concurred with the author’s urge for “essential protection” against patient-initiated harassment, particularly when the doctors are working solo.
As a result of such harassment, some doctors have reported feeling unsafe during their shifts. The researchers found that some doctors have resorted to measures such as locking their office doors when working alone, setting up CCTV cameras, or implementing other security provisions in their residences.
According to the research analysis, of the seven nations with trustworthy evidence of the issue’s magnitude, physicians in the United Kingdom encountered the highest percentage of sexual harassment from patients, when viewed across genders and contrasting regions. This was followed by Canada, Australia, the United States, Israel, Germany and Malaysia. Instances of Australian doctors reacting to such unwarranted advances have reportedly led to a substantial increase in their formality while interacting with those responsible for the misconduct. Dr Kamau-Mitchell is a renowned specialist in understanding the dilemmas and pressures confronting doctors in their professional lives and acknowledges the profound effects such issues can have on their psychological health. – Guardian.