Sexual Harassment

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses that the healthcare industry has the dubious distinction of being one of the top industries, if not the number one industry, where sexual harassment is the most prevalent. The writer relates that across the board, nearly half of female nurses, physicians and students report that they have been harassed. The writer points out that a number of factors unique to the healthcare industry contribute to this problem including gender-based segregation, unequal gender representation, and the lower status, prestige and power of many female healthcare workers. The writer maintains that because of these industry-specific dynamics, the healthcare industry will have to do more than follow industry best practices. The writer claims that it will also need to take a more active role in attracting males into the nursing profession, attracting more women physicians in general and encouraging women physicians to select historically male specialties.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
The Scope of the Sexual Harassment Problem
The Root Causes of the Sexual Harassment Problem
Conclusion and Recommendations

From the Paper:

"There are many studies that confirm the tremendous scope of the sexual harassment problem in the healthcare industry. Physicians and nurses alike encounter harassment. A large national survey revealed that 47.7 percent of all women physicians had experienced gender-based harassment, harassment from being a minority in a male environment. The same survey showed that 36.9 percent of these women had experience more severe sexual harassment, harassment having a sexual or physical element. In a study of 188 critical care nurses, forty-six percent reported sexual harassment, including offensive sexual remarks, unwanted physical contact, unwanted verbal attention, requests for unwanted dates, sexual propositions and physical assault. Sandbeg, McNiel and Binder discovered that an overwhelming majority of these incidents went unreported. Physicians accounted for the largest percentage of offenders, followed by co-workers, and supervisors."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Childers-Hermann, J. (1993, February) Awareness of sexual harassment: First step toward prevention. Critical Care Nurse 13, p. 101-103.
• Cook, et al. (1996). Residents' experiences of abuse, discrimination and sexual harassment during residency training", Canadian Medical Association Journal,154:1657-1665).
• Frank, E. Brogan, D. and Schiffman, M. (1998, February 23). Prevalence and correlates of harassment among US women physicians. Internal Medicine, Vol. 158, p. 352-358.
• Kaye, K. (1996, February). Sexual harassment and hostile environments in the perioperative area. AORN Journal http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FSL/is_n2_v63/ai_19128845
• Lahiri, I. and Sedicum, A. (2000, May 15). Sexual harassment in health care. http://www.workforcedevelopmentgroup.com/news_nine.html

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