A Canadian National Survey Study of Harassment in Surgery—Still a Long Way to Go

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

Previous literature has consistently documented harassment and discrimination in surgery. These experiences may contribute to the continuing gender inequity in surgical fields. The objective of our study was to survey Canadian surgeons and surgical trainees to gain a greater understanding of the experience of harassment across genders, career stage, and specialty.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, online survey was distributed to Canadian residents, fellows, and practicing surgeons in general surgery, plastic surgery, and neurosurgery through their national society email lists and via social media posts.

RESULTS

There were 194 included survey respondents (60 residents, 11 fellows, and 123 staff) from general surgery (44.8%), plastic surgery (42.7%), and neurosurgery (12.5%). 59.8% of women reported having experienced harassment compared to only 26.0% of men. Women were significantly more likely to be harassed by colleagues and patients/families compared to men. Residents (62.5%) were two times more likely to report being harassed compared to fellows/staff (38.3%). Residents were significantly more likely to be harassed by patients/families while fellows/staff were more likely to be harassed by colleagues. There were no significant differences in self-reported harassment across the three surgical specialties. There was no significant difference in rates of reported harassment between current residents (62.5%), and fellow/staff recollections of their experiences of harassment during residency (59.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of gender-based discrimination remains high and harassment prevalence remains largely unchanged from when current staff were in residency. Our findings highlight a need to implement systemic changes to support the increasing number of women entering surgery, and to improve surgical culture to continue to attract the best and brightest to the field.