Ten percent of radiologists have been sexual harassed by a patient in the last three years, according to a new report published by Medscape. Out of 29 specialties included it the report, radiology had the smallest percentage of physicians who reported experiencing sexual harassment during that time frame.
Dermatology (46 percent) was the specialty with the largest percentage, followed by emergency medicine (43 percent) and plastic surgery/aesthetic medicine (41 percent).
Medscape’s Patients Sexually Harassing Physicians Report 2018 includes data from more than 6,200 physicians, residents, nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants in the United States. The findings focused on instances that took place within the last three years. The list of acts viewed as sexual harassment for the sake of this study included “unwanted sexual text messages/emails,” “comments about anatomy/body parts,” “propositions to engage in sexual activity,” “being asked repeatedly for a date,” “unwanted groping/hugging/physical contact” and more.
Overall, 27 percent of physicians say they have been sexual harassed by a patient in the last three years. A previous Medscape study found that 7 percent of physicians have experienced sexual harassment by clinicians, medical personnel or administrations within the workplace.
“Physicians feel a range of emotions when patients become sexual, romantic or outright aggressive,” the report stated. “Annoyance and worry is common, as is the fear that the behavior could potential escalate.”
When reacting to patients behaving inappropriately, 62 percent of female respondents and 39 percent of male respondents said they told the patient “no” or told them to stop. More than half—51 percent—of female respondents and 61 percent of male respondents said they made sure to never be alone with the patient again.
When being asked repeatedly on a date, 84 percent of female respondents and 68 percent of male respondents said they told the patient “no” or told them to stop. Thirty percent of female respondents and 44 percent of male respondents said they made sure to never be alone with the patient again.
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.