Harassment of interns, medical interns and residents: consequences and complaints

Abstract Introduction Workplace harassment manifests in various forms for healthcare students, potentially leading to modifications in their lives and academic activities. Objectives To describe the type of harassment experienced by interns, medical interns, and residents, and its consequences. Methods A cross-sectional and prospective study was conducted, including medical interns, social service interns, and residents from Veracruz who reported experiencing harassment in their assigned areas during their last academic year. Direct and virtual invitations were sent through various electronic means. Results 58 students were included, with 39 (67.2%) being women. 50% reported experiencing psychological abuse, and 65.5% reported experiencing sexual harassment. The most severe sexual harassment incidents included sexual assault with physical force (1.7%) and three instances of non-consensual sexual relations (5.2%), while the most common were sexual jokes/comments (72.4%). Following harassment experiences, 25% of participants reported feeling anxious, 22% stressed, and 17% angry. Students who perceived psychological abuse reported anger (69%), stress (58.6%), and anxiety (58.6%) as the most frequent consequences, while those reporting sexual abuse indicated anger (73.7%), shame (68.4%), and anxiety as primary consequences. The most frequently identified harassers were attending physicians (56.9%), senior students (34.5%), and non-medical personnel (34.5%). Students filed complaints with hospital authorities (6.9%), university authorities (6.9%), and external agencies (5.2%). The individual who experienced sexual assault with physical force did not file any complaint, while only one person reported non-consensual sexual relations to hospital authorities. Conclusions It is crucial to establish safe spaces for students within the hospital environment to promote their overall well-being and academic success, as well as to encourage a culture of reporting. Key messages • Highlighting the need for intervention within the work teams where our students are placed, promoting a violence-free environment. • Annexing a therapist as part of the work team could favor the well-being of students, since mental health is one of the main points affected within a violent environment.