Examining medical students' experience of gender-based discrimination and sexual harassment from clinical teachers at a UK medical school

Abstract

Purpose of the article: To quantify the prevalence and characterise the nature of gender-based discrimination (GBD) and sexual harassment (SH) arising from clinical teachers towards medical students at one UK medical school.

Materials and methods: A mixed quantitative and qualitative survey of medical students. Chi-squared analysis and logistic regression was performed on quantitative data, while an inductive thematic analysis of qualitative data was undertaken. These findings were compared to look for common patterns.

Results: Females were significantly more likely to report experiencing both GBD (χ² = 38.61, p < 0.0001) and SH (χ² = 19.53, p < 0.0001) than males (OR = 10.45 (CI 4.84 - 22.56, p < 0.0001)). These behaviours were more likely to be reported in specific surgical placements than medical placements (χ² = 15.06, p < 0.001 and χ² = 5.90, p < 0.05). Perpetrators were more commonly male, and more commonly consultants. Exposure to GBD or SH was significantly more likely to affect the choice of specialty in females compared to males (χ² = 11.17, p < 0.001). Students noted a casual use of sexist language, inappropriate sexual advances, and gender-based microaggressions which create a pervasive discrepancy in educational opportunities between genders. Participants reported that concerns regarding anonymity, questioning the severity of the incident, and an ingrained medical hierarchy prevented students reporting these incidents.

Conclusions: The rate of GBD and SH from clinical teachers to medical students remains high, affecting female students more than male students. This study highlights key areas that must be improved to achieve a more equitable teaching experience in UK medical schools. Developing robust reporting and support systems is an important step in eradicating these behaviours.

Keywords: Gender discrimination; Medical student mistreatment; Sexual harassment.