More than half female practitioners in Australia are victims of sexual harassment, reveals a study conducted by researchers of Monash University,Melbourne.
The findings are based on a survey of 180 female practitioners from across the country done in 2010. The doctors revealed that they were often victimized sexually by offensive patients.
Most of the female practitioners said that patients repeatedly requested inappropriate examinations and sometimes even exposed themselves. Nearly 36 percent of the doctors said that patients made sexually suggestive comments and a few complained of indecent approaches (touching and grabbing) during consultations.
Peter Bratuskins, a co-author of the study, stated that sexual harassment cases were increasing at an alarming rate in Australia and the research results were much as expected. ''It's something we'd hear anecdotally about from general practitioners,'' said Dr. Brautuskins, according to Sydney Herald. ''We realised that very little was known about it but it has seemingly been happening quite frequently.''
Due to such harassment, female practitioners keep away from late shifts and examinations, which affect their earnings. Many of the doctors have adopted a formal approach and follow a strict dress code.
Around 10 percent of the doctors stated that they were trained to handle such vulnerable issues. But mostly their complaints remain unregistered and unaddressed, revealed a recent report in The Guardian. The researchers have already issued a letter to the Medical Journal of Australia asking for a quick redressal of these issues.