RCOG World Congress 2023

Gender-Based Discrimination & Sexual Harassment within OBGYN Training

Samantha Ingham1,2, Dr. Sara Leitao1,3, Prof. Keelin O’Donoghue1,4

1. Pregnancy Loss Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Cork, Ireland; 2. School of Medicine, University College Cork, Ireland 3. National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre (NPEC), University College Cork, Ireland; 4. The Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (INFANT), University College Cork, Ireland.

Background:

Gender discrimination and sexual harassment (GDSH) is known to exist within medical education. Gender discrimination (GD): unequal treatment that individuals experience based on gender1. Sexual harassment (SH): unwanted verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature2. Experiences during these formative training years can impact a range of areas3-5: Mental health, work place dynamic, specialty choice, career progression, quality of care.

•Practicing female surgeons experiencing GD considered leaving the field6

•Women disproportionately face GDSH in most specialties; except OBGYN7

•Given that OBGYN has recently become a female dominant specialty, GDSH has been considered as a factor affecting specialty selection.

•Rationale: Limited data about GDSH from the OBGYN specialty and Ireland

Aims

This study aimed to describe, among OBGYN medical students and trainee doctors:

1.The perceptions and experiences of GDSH

2.Its forms, sources, and reporting

3.Its study/work and health-related consequences

Methods

•Cross-sectional online survey via email

•Validated survey with questions8-12 on:

a)Perceived GDSH & experienced forms

b)Sources of GDSH

c)Reporting

d)Consequences of GDSH

•Population

- UCC medical students with 1+ OBGYN rotation (N = ~350)

- All OBGYN trainee doctors registered with the RCPI (N = ~200)

•Approved by Clinical Research Ethics Committee & UCC School of Medicine

Pilot study:(June 22’; N=7). Data collection:(Sept 22’-Jan 23’).

Key findings:

- GDSH exists within Irish OBGYN medical training

- Respondents may underestimate their perceived GDSH

- Majority were unaware of GDSH reporting processes and were not informed of this during their OBGYN training.

- Most common studies/work-related consequences of GDSH was specialty choice (for medical students) and colleague relationships (for trainees)

- Most common health consequence was anxiety

Conclusions

Our data supports the literature that GDSH exists throughout OBGYN medical training. GDSH has work, career and health-related consequences among OBGYN medical students and trainees. Training to prevent GDSH and improve GDSH reporting process awareness is crucial. These findings show the need for tailored strategies for prevention of GDSH and improvement of measures to address it. Results should inform policies and practices to address this issue.

RCOG World Congress 2023

Gender-Based Discrimination and Sexual Harassment within OBGYN Training

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