SHARE is a non-funded, peer-to-peer project led by a group of women physicians at UCSF that aims to anonymously collect data and stories to better understand the experience of sexual harassment* of physicians regardless of their gender by patients and their family members. We recognize that we see patients in vulnerable states and our study does not intend to blame patients but rather aims to understand how being on the receiving end of these experiences contributes to physician safety and burnout. Sexual harassment covers a wide range of experience, from an offensive or degrading comment to unwanted physical contact. It's okay to report anything that made you uncomfortable in the moment or that you found yourself thinking about later, even if it's a type of event you or other physicians experience frequently.
SHARE is a research study and not meant to replace formal reporting of incidents to your institution or supervisor.
We recognize that sexual harassment affects healthcare providers at all levels. If you are not a physician and are interested in gathering information about your peers’ experiences by leading or joining a study targeted at another healthcare provider population, please feel free to reach out to our group at [email protected]. We would be happy to speak with you about setting up a peer-led reporting system.
If you are a medical student or studying in any other professional school, we see you and your experiences. Reporting requirements for student experiences vary by state, and our project is not able to comply with these varying legal requirements given that it is an all-volunteer enterprise. We encourage you to instead reach out to your school administration and leadership to report any incidences of sexual harassment by patients.
*Definitions of sexual harassment and other, related key terms can be found in the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report on sexual harassment.