Abstract
Introduction
Workplace sexual harassment is an alarming worldwide issue that can cause severe adverse effects for victims, especially women from traditionally male-dominated professions. As a result, paramedics and doctors are exposed to concerning rates of sexual harassment in the workplace. However, there is little understanding of whether this also consequently affects paramedic students who undertake clinical placement in the same environment as paramedics.
Aims
This systematic review aimed to explore paramedic and medical students’ experiences of sexual harassment whilst undertaking clinical placement. The review findings also aimed to investigate the extent of the adverse effects of sexual harassment that paramedic and medical students are subjected to.
Methods
This systematic review was guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis. The search strategy was conducted across four journal databases and was accompanied by citation searching and snowball sampling. The inclusion criteria consisted of paramedic or medical students who had reported acts of sexual harassment when undertaking clinical placement. Studies were excluded if they were not presented in the English language or were issued earlier than 2010. Data synthesis was completed through a thematic and content analysis.
Results
Of the twelve studies eligible for study inclusion and analysis, seven focused on medical students as the participants of interest and five related to paramedic students. The thematic analysis revealed seven themes: sexual harassment experiences, forms, occurrences, sources, potential influences, reporting, and education and awareness. The content analysis identified the three most reported adverse effects of sexual harassment, including overall poor student well-being, students changing career specialisation, and students struggling to obtain graduate job positions due to victimisation.
Conclusion
This systematic review found paramedic and medical students can experience sexual harassment when undertaking clinical placement. Furthermore, it can lead to many deleterious effects that negatively impact students before their careers begin.
Workplace sexual harassment is an alarming worldwide issue that can cause severe adverse effects for victims, especially women from traditionally male-dominated professions. As a result, paramedics and doctors are exposed to concerning rates of sexual harassment in the workplace. However, there is little understanding of whether this also consequently affects paramedic students who undertake clinical placement in the same environment as paramedics.
Aims
This systematic review aimed to explore paramedic and medical students’ experiences of sexual harassment whilst undertaking clinical placement. The review findings also aimed to investigate the extent of the adverse effects of sexual harassment that paramedic and medical students are subjected to.
Methods
This systematic review was guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis. The search strategy was conducted across four journal databases and was accompanied by citation searching and snowball sampling. The inclusion criteria consisted of paramedic or medical students who had reported acts of sexual harassment when undertaking clinical placement. Studies were excluded if they were not presented in the English language or were issued earlier than 2010. Data synthesis was completed through a thematic and content analysis.
Results
Of the twelve studies eligible for study inclusion and analysis, seven focused on medical students as the participants of interest and five related to paramedic students. The thematic analysis revealed seven themes: sexual harassment experiences, forms, occurrences, sources, potential influences, reporting, and education and awareness. The content analysis identified the three most reported adverse effects of sexual harassment, including overall poor student well-being, students changing career specialisation, and students struggling to obtain graduate job positions due to victimisation.
Conclusion
This systematic review found paramedic and medical students can experience sexual harassment when undertaking clinical placement. Furthermore, it can lead to many deleterious effects that negatively impact students before their careers begin.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 14 Sept 2023 |
| Event | Australasian College of Paramedicine International Conference (ACPIC) 2023 - Crown Conference Centre, Melbourne, Australia Duration: 13 Sept 2023 → 15 Sept 2023 https://paramedics.org/storage/news/ACPIC%202023%20call%20for%20abstracts.pdf (Call for abstracts/posters) |
Conference
| Conference | Australasian College of Paramedicine International Conference (ACPIC) 2023 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | Lead - evolve - impact |
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Melbourne |
| Period | 13/09/23 → 15/09/23 |
| Other | Join us for the only dedicated paramedicine conference in Australasia. The Australasian College of Paramedicine International Conference (ACPIC23) is designed to inspire, educate and broaden horizons. |
| Internet address |
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