Bullying, harassment and sexual discrimination among ophthalmologists in Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

Background Discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment (DBSH) impact the psychological well‐being of doctors and contribute to poor health outcomes. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) commissioned independent surveys to evaluate DBSH among members/trainees. Methods Anonymous online surveys by Best Practice Australia were undertaken in 2015 and 2018. Cross‐sectional analysis was prevalence of perceived DBSH, rates of reporting, intervention and resolution undertaken. Response rate was 50% (658/1319) in 2015 and 40% (557/1401) in 2018. In both surveys, 29% were female. This is representative of the distribution of the RANZCO members. Results In a 2015 survey, 37.6% of respondents experienced DBSH, with prevalence being the highest for females (62.3%; N = 104 cf males 27.7%; N = 167) and trainees (49.2%; N = 61). In 2018, 49.2% of respondents reported DBSH with rates low for all forms of DBSH (22%‐29%). Sexual harassment was reported by 12% and the least discussed or reported. Respondents strategy for taking action included draw on personal support network (25‐43%), official complaints to supervisors (16‐22%), human resources (2%‐10%) and RANZCO (0%‐6%). Reasons for not taking action included fear of impact of future career options (54.1%‐60.7%), fear of victimization (35.7%‐50.4%) and afraid of not being believed (31.9%‐52.4%). Satisfactory resolution rates were 6% to 25%. A majority of respondents (77%) were positive about RANZCO initiatives. Conclusions DBSH is commonly reported by RANZCO members with female ophthalmologists more than two times more likely to experience any one of the four behaviours, three times more likely to experience discrimination and six times for sexual harassment. Fear of compromising personal and career progression contribute to low levels of reporting.

Sex Disparities in Ophthalmology From Training Through Practice

“…Of 4077 retrieved studies, we reviewed 154 full-text articles, with 91 eligible studies published between 1995 and 2022 (Figure). Most studies (57 [62.6%]) were published in or after 2018 (eTable 1 in the Supplement).…”

“…Most studies (57 [62.6%]) were published in or after 2018 (eTable 1 in the Supplement). Eighty-seven studies were cross-sectional, and 4 studies were cohort. In the risk of bias assessment, 12 had low risk of bias (good), 68 were moderate (fair), and 11 were high (poor) (eTables 2 and 3 in the Supplement).…”

“…Eighty-seven studies were cross-sectional, and 4 studies were cohort. In the risk of bias assessment, 12 had low risk of bias (good), 68 were moderate (fair), and 11 were high (poor) (eTables 2 and 3 in the Supplement). Studies were organized by themes across career stages.…”

Benefits and challenges to ophthalmology training via the Specialist Training Program

“…This, combined with the importance of maintaining collegial relationships, resulted in an inability to advocate on behalf of trainees in situations of conflict. Given the literature suggests that at least half of ophthalmology trainees are subjected to both bullying and harassment during training rotations, 19 ensuring that trainees can access professional support independent of their supervisory team whilst at STP posts will be critical moving forward. Further, supervisors need adequate training and support to enable the timely and diplomatic delivery of constructive feedback to trainees.…”

Der schwerwiegendste Vorfall – Erfahrungen von Aggressionen und Gewalt in der Augenheilkunde

“…Bislang gibt es sehr wenige Untersuchungen zu Aggressionen/Gewalt in der Augenheilkunde. Im J2021 wurde eine Umfrage unter Augenärztinnen und Augenärzten in Australien und Neuseeland zu Mobbing, Belästigung und sexueller Diskriminierung veröffentlicht [ 14 ]. Diese basierte auf Umfragen aus 2015 und 2018, in denen 37,6 % (2015) und 49,2 % (2018) der Umfrageteilnehmer entsprechende Erfahrungen gemacht haben.…”