|
Citation
|
Ceppa DP, Dolejs SC, Boden N, Phelan S, Yost KJ, Donington J, Naunheim KS, Blackmon S. Ann. Thorac. Surg. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub. |
|
Abstract
|
BACKGROUND: Fifty-eight percent of women in science, engineering, and medicine report being affected by sexual harassment. We sought to determine the extent of SH in cardiothoracic surgery.
METHODS: We developed a survey based on the Sexual Experience Questionnaire-Workplace, physician wellness and burnout survey. The survey was open to responses for 45 days and disseminated via the STS, WTS and TSRA listervs. A reminder email was issued at 28 days. Student's t-tests, Fisher's exact, and Chi-square were used to compare results.
RESULTS: Of 790 respondents, 75% were male and 82% were attendings. 81% of female surgeons vs.46% of male attending surgeons experienced SH (p<0.001). SH also was reported by trainees (90% female vs. 32% male, p<0.001). According to women, the most common offenders were supervising leaders and colleagues; for men, it was ancillary staff and colleagues. Respondents reported SH at all levels of training. 75% of women surgeons vs. 51% of men surgeons witnessed a colleague be subjected to SH. 89% of respondents reported the victim as female (male 2%, both 9%, p<0.001). 49% of female witnesses (50% of male witnesses) reported no intervention; <5% of respondents reported the offender to a governing board. SH was positively associated with burnout.
CONCLUSIONS: Sexual harassment is present in CT surgery among faculty and trainees. While women surgeons are more commonly affected, male surgeons also are subjected to SH. Despite witnessed events, intervention currently is limited. Policies, safeguards, and bystander training should be instituted to decrease these events.
Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Language: en |