Prevalence and forms of gender discrimination and sexual harassment among medical students and physicians in French-speaking Switzerland: a survey

Article Article scientifique Article Prevalence and forms of gender discrimination and sexual harassment among medical students and physicians in French-speaking Switzerland: a survey eng 2022-01-17 2022-01-17 author Najjar Iris 0000-0003-3156-002X author Socquet Jennifer 584900 author Gayet-Ageron Angèle 0000-0002-6164-9693 668551 author Ricou Bara 127716 author Le Breton Julien 842240 author Rossel Anne 565436 author Abdulcadir Jasmine 0000-0001-6245-9181 796507 author Soroken Cindy Jan 774302 author Tessitore Elena 0000-0003-1680-0152 750991 author Gerstel Caroline 529508 author Halimi Julie 874427 author Frasca Polara Giulia author Coen Matteo 0000-0002-6156-1691 601519 author Niyibizi Eva 666942 e049520 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049520 35039283 2044-6055 PMC8765015 https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049520 Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and forms of gender discrimination and sexual harassment experienced by medical students and physicians in French-speaking part of Switzerland. Design and setting: We conducted an online survey using a questionnaire of 9 multiple-choice and 2 open questions between 24 January 2019 and 24 February 2019. Our target population was medical students and physicians working at hospitals and general practitioners from the French-speaking part of Switzerland. The online survey was sent via social media platforms and direct emails. We compared answers between male-determined and female-determined respondents using either χ2 or Fisher's exact tests. Results: Among 1071 responders, a total of 893 were included (625 females, 264 males, 4 non-binary and 1 non-binary and male). 178 were excluded because they did not mention their working place or were working only outside Switzerland. Because of the small number of non-binary participants, they were not contemplated in further statistical analysis. Of 889 participants left, 199 (31.8%) women and 18 (6.8%) men reported having personally experienced gender discrimination, in terms of sexism, difficulties in career development and psychological pressure. Among women, senior attendings were the most affected (55.2%), followed by residents (44.1%) and junior attendings (41.1%). Sexual harassment was equally observed among women (19.0%) and men (16.7%). Compared with men (47.0%), women (61.4%) expressed the need to promote equality and inclusivity in medicine more frequently (p<0.001), as well as the need for support in their professional development (38.7% women and 23.9% men; p<0.001). Conclusions: Gender discrimination in medicine in French-speaking Switzerland affects one-third of women, in particular, those working in hospital settings and senior positions. Medical education & training Medical ethics Public health Dewey 616 Dewey 617 Dewey 618 Dewey 618.97 217 Centre de recherche clinique 201 56 Département de médecine 221 58 Département de pédiatrie, gynécologie et obstétrique 223 63 Département d'anesthésiologie, pharmacologie, soins intensifs et urgences 229 65 Département de réadaptation et gériatrie 22B false 88 Epidémiologie clinique et biostatistique 115 BMJ open 12 1 841a9796-d766-482a-84a7-86673a249e40 Article (Published version) Public Article-scientifique-from-unpaywall.pdf 805273 application/pdf CC BY-NC-4.0 2524a6f9-b32c-4825-85e4-6b2bd962adf3 Appendix Public bmjopen-2021-049520supp001.pdf 45702 application/pdf openAccess Faculté de médecine / Centre de recherche clinique Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de médecine Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de pédiatrie, gynécologie et obstétrique Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département d'anesthésiologie, pharmacologie, soins intensifs et urgences Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de réadaptation et gériatrie

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Prevalence and forms of gender discrimination and sexual harassment among medical students and physicians in French-speaking Switzerland: a survey	BMJ open			2022	318	253

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Halimi, Julie