ERASE: a New Framework for Faculty to Manage Patient Mistreatment of Trainees

• Published in: Academic psychiatry Vol. 43; no. 4; pp. 396 - 399
• Main Authors: Goldenberg, Matthew N., Cyrus, Kali D., Wilkins, Kirsten M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01-08-2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Educational Environment; Empowerment; Ethnicity; Faculty Development; Faculty, Medical; Feature: Educational Case Report; Female; Humans; Internship and Residency; Intervention; Language; Learning; Learning Processes; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Medical Education; Medical students; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Microaggressions; Patient satisfaction; Patients - psychology; Physicians; Prejudice; Prospective Studies; Psychiatry; Psychiatry - education; Race; Sexual harassment; Social Discrimination; Teachers
• ISSN: 1042-9670; 1545-7230
• DOI: 10.1007/s40596-018-1011-6

Physicians reported being subject to discriminatory language regarding race, gender, religion, accent, age, and weight, among others. A 2011 study of family medicine residents at one program reported that 45% of residents experienced intimidation, harassment, and/or discrimination; among those, 35% reported patients as a source [7]. Sample scenarios and interventions for trainee harassment or mistreatment by patients Problem Example Intervention Sample language Overt derogatory language Patient uses racial slur in reference to a student participating in her care Angry patient yells misogynistic term at female resident Set clear limits “This clinic/unit/department is an area where we treat each other with mutual respect. Establishing a positive culture requires interventions beyond the clinical encounter, usually involving the leadership of the educational program or healthcare institution. Because of their relative power in the institution, clinical attendings who witness patient mistreatment of trainees may be in the best position to influence administrative parties.