LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sexual harassment in UK healthcare has reached alarming levels, tripling over the past five years, according to a new report from Medscape UK.
The UK Doctors Sexual Harassment Report 2024 builds on previous research from 2019 and highlights a troubling trend: sexual harassment in healthcare is not only increasing but also becoming more accepted. In 2019, 7% of doctors surveyed said harassment was accepted in their workplace; by 2024, this figure had risen to 12%.
Survey respondents reported that most perpetrators were male (80%), with female doctors more than twice as likely to be victims (14% female compared to 6% male victims). In most incidents (61%), the victims’ superiors were the perpetrators, leaving the former feeling vulnerable; one respondent did not report an incident because they felt they “would lose [their] chance of completing training.”
Harassment has driven some victims to leave the profession altogether. Of the doctors surveyed who had experienced harassment, one in four (24%) had considered quitting their jobs. These findings also reveal a risk to patients, as harassment interferes with doctors’ ability to perform their duties. Most (81%) respondents believed that sexual harassment negatively affected patient care.
“This survey underscores a deeply concerning trend in the medical profession and highlights the need for immediate action to create safer, more equitable work environments for doctors,” said Nadia El-Awady, MBBCh, MA, editorial director, Medscape UK.
While the rise in reported cases is troubling, it may partly reflect growing awareness. More than half of the doctors surveyed (51%) indicated they now have a better understanding of what constitutes sexual harassment compared to five years ago. This finding suggests that increased education and cultural shifts may be influencing how incidents are identified and reported.
“Raising awareness is an important first step, but it is clear from our findings that systemic change is needed,” said Dr El-Awady. “No one should have to choose between their career and their personal safety or well-being.”
The Medscape UK Sexual Harassment in Medicine Report 2024 is available now:
https://www.medscape.com/sexual_harassment_uk_2024
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