Sexual Harassment in Ophthalmology.
More ophthalmologists reported recent sexual harassment in 2023 than in 2018
Sexual Harassment in Ophthalmology.
IMPORTANCE: High rates of sexual harassment were reported among ophthalmologists who responded to a survey in 2018.
To compare the rates and characteristics of sexual harassment in ophthalmology from survey respondents in 2018 and 2023 and to investigate rates of gender discrimination among the 2023 respondents.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this cross-sectional, observational survey study, the survey was administered anonymously using Google Forms through the Women in Ophthalmology email blast list from August 25 to September 25, 2023.
the share who faced harassment in the past 5 years - up from 47.2% in 2018
Of 1051 emails sent, 692 (65.8%) were opened, and of those opened, 289 of 692 eligible participants (41.8%) responded, so that the respondents represented 289 (27.5%) of the 1051 emails sent.
Of the 289 survey respondents in 2023, 172 (59.5%) experienced sexual harassment in ophthalmology compared with 265 of 447 (59.3%) surveyed in 2018 (difference, 0.2%; 95% CI, -7.0% to 7.5%; P = .95).
In this survey study, the rates of sexual harassment among respondents remained high 5 years after a survey on sexual harassment in ophthalmology, with higher frequency of recent experiences and continued low reporting rates.
With other forms of gender discrimination also highly prevalent among respondents, these results support pursuit of validated strategies to foster a culture of zero tolerance toward harassment and discrimination.