Discrimination, harassment, and intimidation amongst otolaryngology: head and neck surgeons in Canada
Abstract Background Understanding mistreatment within medicine is an important first step in creating and maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment. The objective of this study was to quantify the prevalence of perceived workplace mistreatment amongst otolaryngology—head and neck surgery (OH...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SAGE Publishing
2022-09-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40463-022-00590-w |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850283108968955904 |
|---|---|
| author | Amr F. Hamour Tanya Chen Justin Cottrell Paolo Campisi Ian J. Witterick Yvonne Chan |
| author_facet | Amr F. Hamour Tanya Chen Justin Cottrell Paolo Campisi Ian J. Witterick Yvonne Chan |
| author_sort | Amr F. Hamour |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Understanding mistreatment within medicine is an important first step in creating and maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment. The objective of this study was to quantify the prevalence of perceived workplace mistreatment amongst otolaryngology—head and neck surgery (OHNS) faculty and trainees in Canada. Methods This national cross-sectional survey was administered to practicing otolaryngologists and residents training in an otolaryngology program in Canada during the 2020–2021 academic year. The prevalence and sources of mistreatment (intimidation, harassment, and discrimination) were ascertained. The availability, awareness, and rate of utilization of institutional resources to address mistreatment were also studied. Results The survey was administered to 519 individuals and had an overall response rate of 39.1% (189/519). The respondents included faculty (n = 107; 56.6%) and trainees (n = 82; 43.4%). Mistreatment (intimidation, harassment, or discrimination) was reported in 47.6% of respondents. Of note, harassment was reported at a higher rate in female respondents (57.0%) and White/Caucasian faculty and trainees experienced less discrimination than their non-White colleagues (22.7% vs. 54.5%). The two most common sources of mistreatment were OHNS faculty and patients. Only 14.9% of those experiencing mistreatment sought assistance from institutional resources to address mistreatment. The low utilization rate was primarily attributed to concerns about retribution. Interpretation Mistreatment is prevalent amongst Canadian OHNS trainees and faculty. A concerning majority of respondents reporting mistreatment did not access resources due to fear of confidentiality and retribution. Understanding the source and prevalence of mistreatment is the first step to enabling goal-directed initiatives to address this issue and maintain a safe and inclusive working environment. Graphical Abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-696a8d6b453e4f94b0a126b57215f6ea |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1916-0216 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery |
| spelling | doaj-art-696a8d6b453e4f94b0a126b57215f6ea2025-08-20T01:47:50ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery1916-02162022-09-015111810.1186/s40463-022-00590-wDiscrimination, harassment, and intimidation amongst otolaryngology: head and neck surgeons in CanadaAmr F. Hamour0Tanya Chen1Justin Cottrell2Paolo Campisi3Ian J. Witterick4Yvonne Chan5Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of TorontoDepartment of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of TorontoDepartment of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of TorontoDepartment of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of TorontoDepartment of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of TorontoDepartment of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of TorontoAbstract Background Understanding mistreatment within medicine is an important first step in creating and maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment. The objective of this study was to quantify the prevalence of perceived workplace mistreatment amongst otolaryngology—head and neck surgery (OHNS) faculty and trainees in Canada. Methods This national cross-sectional survey was administered to practicing otolaryngologists and residents training in an otolaryngology program in Canada during the 2020–2021 academic year. The prevalence and sources of mistreatment (intimidation, harassment, and discrimination) were ascertained. The availability, awareness, and rate of utilization of institutional resources to address mistreatment were also studied. Results The survey was administered to 519 individuals and had an overall response rate of 39.1% (189/519). The respondents included faculty (n = 107; 56.6%) and trainees (n = 82; 43.4%). Mistreatment (intimidation, harassment, or discrimination) was reported in 47.6% of respondents. Of note, harassment was reported at a higher rate in female respondents (57.0%) and White/Caucasian faculty and trainees experienced less discrimination than their non-White colleagues (22.7% vs. 54.5%). The two most common sources of mistreatment were OHNS faculty and patients. Only 14.9% of those experiencing mistreatment sought assistance from institutional resources to address mistreatment. The low utilization rate was primarily attributed to concerns about retribution. Interpretation Mistreatment is prevalent amongst Canadian OHNS trainees and faculty. A concerning majority of respondents reporting mistreatment did not access resources due to fear of confidentiality and retribution. Understanding the source and prevalence of mistreatment is the first step to enabling goal-directed initiatives to address this issue and maintain a safe and inclusive working environment. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s40463-022-00590-wOtolaryngology—head and neck surgeryMistreatmentDiscriminationGenderDiversityCanada |
| spellingShingle | Amr F. Hamour Tanya Chen Justin Cottrell Paolo Campisi Ian J. Witterick Yvonne Chan Discrimination, harassment, and intimidation amongst otolaryngology: head and neck surgeons in Canada Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Otolaryngology—head and neck surgery Mistreatment Discrimination Gender Diversity Canada |
| title | Discrimination, harassment, and intimidation amongst otolaryngology: head and neck surgeons in Canada |
| title_full | Discrimination, harassment, and intimidation amongst otolaryngology: head and neck surgeons in Canada |
| title_fullStr | Discrimination, harassment, and intimidation amongst otolaryngology: head and neck surgeons in Canada |
| title_full_unstemmed | Discrimination, harassment, and intimidation amongst otolaryngology: head and neck surgeons in Canada |
| title_short | Discrimination, harassment, and intimidation amongst otolaryngology: head and neck surgeons in Canada |
| title_sort | discrimination harassment and intimidation amongst otolaryngology head and neck surgeons in canada |
| topic | Otolaryngology—head and neck surgery Mistreatment Discrimination Gender Diversity Canada |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40463-022-00590-w |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT amrfhamour discriminationharassmentandintimidationamongstotolaryngologyheadandnecksurgeonsincanada AT tanyachen discriminationharassmentandintimidationamongstotolaryngologyheadandnecksurgeonsincanada AT justincottrell discriminationharassmentandintimidationamongstotolaryngologyheadandnecksurgeonsincanada AT paolocampisi discriminationharassmentandintimidationamongstotolaryngologyheadandnecksurgeonsincanada AT ianjwitterick discriminationharassmentandintimidationamongstotolaryngologyheadandnecksurgeonsincanada AT yvonnechan discriminationharassmentandintimidationamongstotolaryngologyheadandnecksurgeonsincanada |