The National Council of the Order of Physicians (CNOM) launched a survey among all physicians and “young doctors” on sexual and gender-based violence suffered in the professional context, the results of which will be published at the end of 2024. This research follows the wave of testimonies and reactions from doctors, interns and other caregivers that occurred in the spring, in the wake of the #metoo movement.
All doctors registered in the order and all doctors in training, in their final phase of training, will receive a questionnaire by email, guaranteeing their anonymity, and they will be able to respond until 14 October, the CNOM reports in a statement. This mailing will thus affect approximately 285,000 professionals and trainees, the order specifies.
“Measuring the magnitude of the phenomenon”
The CNOM “encourages all doctors” reply to get more “reliable and representative” possible. The results “It will allow us to measure the magnitude of the phenomenon, identify the most frequent types of violence and the contexts in which they occur”in order to “guide actions to combat gender-based and sexual violence”writes.
In April, revelations by infectious disease specialist Karine Lacombe, who accused emergency doctor Patrick Pelloux of harassment, sparked a host of reactions and testimonies on social media and among professional and student associations about gender-based violence and sexuality in the healthcare field.
Many caregivers reported a “gun culture” AND “patriarchal” installed especially in hospitals, and a tradition of secrecy conducive to sexist and sexual violence. Former Health Minister Frédéric Valletoux led consultations and announced several measures at the end of May, including the implementation of training for all staff.
