Medical student abuse; incidence, severity, and significance

Article Abstract:

Despite the importance of medical education both to health professionals and society as a whole, not until recently has attention been paid to key aspects of the educational process itself. In particular, the abuse suffered by medical students was virtually unmentioned in the literature until as recently as 1982. In order to provide insight into the experience of abuse by medical students, 519 medical students enrolled as of April 1985 were given questionnaires; 431 completed and returned them. Almost half (46.4 percent) reported that they had been abused at some point in their educational experience, with 80.6 percent of the seniors reporting some abuse. Although a detailed breakdown of abuse categories is not presented, typical reports included verbal abuse, the assignment of inappropriate duties or "scut-work", sexual abuse, physical abuse, and intentional neglect. However, respondents did categorize incidents as of major or minor importance; of those reporting abuse, 30.9 percent said the abuse was of minor importance. The remainder experienced at least one incident which they classified as major. Since other studies have suggested that practicing physicians remain influenced by the abuse they received in medical school, suggestions for the management and prevention of abuse should be seriously considered. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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A pilot study of medical student 'abuse': student perceptions of mistreatment and misconduct in medical school.'

Article Abstract:

In order to provide a quantitative breakdown of the types of abuse suffered by medical students, one entire third-year medical class was administered a questionnaire in the fall of 1988. Of the 93 students surveyed, 75 responded, though the response rate for women (94 percent) was higher than that of men (73 percent). The types of abuse reported by the medical students were broken into categories such as verbal abuse (84 percent of the respondents had been verbally belittled and 73 percent had been sworn at), physical abuse (16 percent of the respondents had been subjected to physical harm), and psychological mistreatment of various descriptions. Female respondents reported sexual harassment from a number of different sources, with the majority of sexual advances coming from clinical faculty and residents. Respondents also reported being witness to professional misconduct including drug abuse, falsification of information, and cheating in research. The authors point out that although the study provides no evidence that such incidents actually took place, the mere fact that medical students perceive such abuse to be taking place raises important questions which the medical colleges must deal with if they are to continue to attract eager, talented young people. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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Traumatic deidealization and the future of medicine

Article Abstract:

Two articles in the January 26, 1990 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association deal with the topic of the emotional and sometimes physical abuse of medical students. Although many features of the articles are worthy of discussion, it is important to consider the so-called medical student cynicism from the standpoint of traumatic deidealization. Unexpected and profoundly tragic experiences can at times overwhelm people, but much of the unhappiness in the world results from the accumulation of many traumas, any one of which may be of very modest proportions. The gradual piling up of insults, humiliations and mistreatment ultimately result in a practitioner who has lost his enthusiasm and excitement about his chosen career. The author quotes a 1932 article to remind us that "Medicine must be learned by the student, for only a fraction of it can be taught by the faculty. The latter makes the essential contributions of guidance, inspiration, and leadership." (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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