Medical Student Mistreatment—an Obstetrics and Gynecology Perspective: a Pilot Study

• Published in: Medical science educator Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 787 - 794
• Main Authors: Holmström, Shelly W., Klocksieben, Farina A., Forrester, Lisa D., Zreibe, Damien, O’Brien, Kevin E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-09-2019
• Subjects: Education; Medical Education; Original Research; Abuse; Learning climate; Student mistreatment
• ISSN: 2156-8650; 2156-8650
• DOI: 10.1007/s40670-019-00740-2

Objective
To determine if perception of mistreatment and severity in each of the professional videotaped vignettes was similar between participants of differing professional status (Ob/Gyn attending physicians, resident physicians, and medical students), previous mistreatment status, ethnic minority status, and gender.
Methods
Three video vignettes were filmed portraying possible medical student mistreatment during an obstetrics and gynecology clerkship. Prior to watching the videos, all participants were asked to complete a questionnaire related to their prior experience with mistreatment as a medical student along with other demographic details. After viewing each video, participants were asked to rate the video as representing mistreatment (yes/no) and, if yes, the severity of medical student mistreatment.
Results
Eight attending physicians, ten resident physicians, and ten medical students participated in this study. Professional status, previous mistreatment status, ethnic minority status, and gender did not affect how participants perceived mistreatment or the severity of the video vignettes. Fifty percent (14/28) of participants reported previous mistreatment as a medical student, all of which occurred during their third year of medical school.
Conclusion
Medical students, resident physicians, and attending physicians generally agreed which video vignettes represented medical student mistreatment and the level of severity of the event.