Workplace Harassment and Discrimination in Gynecology: Results of the AAGL Member Survey

Abstract

To characterize workplace and sexual harassment and discrimination among physicians in gynecology. Design: A beta-tested Internet survey was distributed by e-mail using the REDCap platform. All responses were anonymous. Setting: The survey was distributed to the 7026 physician members of an international gynecologic society (AAGL), including faculty and trainees. Patients: Not applicable. Interventions: The survey was distributed on 3 occasions between July and September 2018. The survey contained questions on demographics, attitudes, experiences, and sequelae regarding harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Frequency distributions and nonparametric tests were performed to determine the percentages and types of harassment and discrimination among respondents. Measurements and Main Results: A total of 907 physicians responded, including 603 US physicians and 304 non-US physicians; 59% identified as female and 40% as male, and 20% were trainees. Females were more likely than males to think the #MeToo movement was "justified and overdue" (p < .05), independent of age or trainee status. More females than males reported experiencing workplace discrimination (67% vs 39%; p < .001); gender-based discrimination was the most common basis for both. Females indicated decreased self-confidence and lower salary; males indicated fewer employment opportunities and lower patient volume. Harassment was reported by more females than males (53% vs 17%; p < .001), including sexual harassment (39% vs 11%, p <.05). Most experienced loss of self-confidence, felt the offender was in a position of power, and did not report the incident, often due to fear of reprisal. Multiple respondents experienced workplace-related sexual assault. Conclusion: Workplace harassment and discrimination are commonly experienced by female and male gynecologists and are usually related to a power differential. Improvements must be made in the workplace environment to achieve equity and a safe workplace free of harassment and discrimination.

Sexual harassment and gender discrimination in gynecologic oncology

“…The authors noted that female compared to male grant recipients were more likely to report sexual harassment and to report perceptions and experiences of gender bias. Another study on experiences and perceptions among gynecologic surgeons found that over two-thirds of women and 40% of men had reported workplace discrimination, and more than half of women and 20% of men had reported workplace harassment [13]. Banerjee and colleagues examined these issues among European oncologists [14].…”

“…The study found that 58% of female faculty had experienced some form of sexual harassment in the work environment [6]. Although several groups have closely looked at sexual harassment and gender-related bias in specific fields of medicine [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14], outside of personal anecdotes, few studies have investigated the prevalence of this problem in the field of medicine devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of women's cancers-gynecologic oncology.…”

Improving Gender Diversity in Urologic Residency Training

“…For example, all female third-year medical students in a longitudinal qualitative study noted that they accepted inequities between men and women simply because "that's the way things are" [35]. A 2019 retrospective study demonstrated that over half of female OB/Gyn physician respondents reported workplace harassment, with the most prevalent consequence being a loss of confidence [36,37]. Acknowledging that OB/Gyn is a predominately female-driven field, the reported instances of sexual harassment in predominately male-driven fields, such as general surgery, plastic surgery, and thoracic surgery, were 43%, 36%, and 81%, respectively [34,38,39].…”

Workplace Harassment and Discrimination in Gynecology: Reflections on the Report of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists Member Survey

“…Congratulations to Dr. Brown and colleagues for shedding light where shame and secrecy would otherwise hide harassment and workplace bias in obstetrics and gynecology [1]. The survey responses tell a sobering but not unexpected story.…”