Sexual violence in medical students and specialty registrars in Flanders, Belgium

Autor: N. Pouliart, M. Geldolf, Matthias Haezeleer, N. Degryse, laura dewulf, Ines Keygnaert, Jens Tijtgat
Přispěvatelé: Centre for Reproductive Medicine - Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Clinical sciences, Medical Oncology, Basic (bio-) Medical Sciences, Medical Imaging, Orthopaedics - Traumatology
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Male
Students
Medical
lcsh:Medicine
Postgraduate
0302 clinical medicine
Belgium
Surveys and Questionnaires
Medicine and Health Sciences
030212 general & internal medicine
Sexual violence
Population survey
Response rate (survey)
lcsh:LC8-6691
05 social sciences
General Medicine
Medical school
language
Medicine
Female
Flanders
Psychology
Research Article
050104 developmental & child psychology
medicine.medical_specialty
Adolescent
Health Personnel
Bystander actions
education
Specialty
nobody
Education
03 medical and health sciences
Specialty registrars
medicine
Humans
0501 psychology and cognitive sciences
General knowledge
Graduate
Undergraduate
Medical education
lcsh:Special aspects of education
lcsh:R
Sex Offenses
Medical students
language.human_language
Flemish
Support resources
Family medicine
Medical trainee
Sexual harassment
Zdroj: BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION
BMC Medical Education
BMC Medical Education, Vol 21, Iss 1, Pp 1-9 (2021)
ISSN: 1472-6920
Popis: Background Sexual violence has globally been recognized as harmful to young people’s health. In medical school, which is a highly competitive environment, the risk is supposedly even bigger. In this study we firstly aimed to investigate the magnitude and precipitating factors of sexual violence in medical students and specialty registrars in Flanders, Belgium. Secondly, we wanted to assess the reactive behaviours as well as the knowledge of possible types of bystander reactions as well as potential support resources for victims of sexual violence. Methods This study was initiated and coordinated by the Flemish medical student representation organisation (VGSO). A survey containing demographic and behaviour-specific questions based on the UNMENAMAIS and SAS-V questionnaire was sent to all undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students of the 5 medical schools in Flanders. Participants were asked to limit their responses to internship-related events. Further questions concerning reactions to sexual violence, assailants, bystander reactions and general knowledge concerning support after sexual violence were asked. Results We received 3015 valid responses to our survey, obtaining a response rate of 29% in the potential target population. Within the total study population, 1168 of 3015 participants (38,73%) reported having been victim of at least one type of sexual violence as explored by our survey. This percentage was the highest in GP specialty registrars (53%), followed by specialty registrars (50%) and master students (39%). Assailants of sexual violence varied, most often they were medical staff members, students or patients. In most types of sexual violence, nobody reacted to this behaviour. Women (57.3%) talked about what happened afterwards more often than men (39.7%). When asked about their knowledge of possible bystander reactions and support services for sexual violence, 60% of the respondents did not know about their existence. Conclusions Sexual violence is still a relatively frequent issue in medical students and specialty registrars. Patients form an important part of the assailants. In a third of reported sexual violence cases, nobody reacted. In addition, male victims seem to underreport. There is still much need for sensitisation on support mechanisms and centres for victims and witnesses of sexual violence.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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