Health Bodies Respond to Sexual Harassment Report

A media report in which an experienced surgeon suggests female surgical trainers should endure sexual harassment for the sake of their careers has put the issue on the agenda of  leading health bodies.
In an interview on the ABC AM Program, where vascular surgeon Dr Gabrielle McMullin is discussing the case of a Melbourne neurosurgical trainee, she said  "What I tell my trainees is that, if you are approached for sex, probably the safest thing to do in terms of your career is to comply with the request. The worst thing you could possibly do is to complain to the supervising body, because then, as in Caroline's position, you can be sure that you will never be appointed to a major public hospital."
Dr McMullin went on to say: "We need to teach our trainees never to put themselves in a vulnerable position like that, no matter how nice, married and well-meaning the man seems".
Quoted in the Daily Telegraph, Dr McMullin said she was glad her controversial comments had sparked debate.
In response to the interview, President of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Michael Grigg, has made a public statement.
"It is very disappointing and quite appalling that recent media reports have suggested that it is preferable for female surgical trainees to silently endure sexual harassment," Mr Grigg wrote. "The College of Surgeons refutes this advice emphatically. The inference is that this is what successful female surgeons and trainees have done in the past and this is deeply insulting.
"Unfortunately, instances of sexual harassment and indeed bullying in general occur in society, but encouraging non-reporting serves only to perpetuate it. "The College of Surgeons is active in addressing harassment and bullying. It is reflected in our Code of Conduct, in our policies and our educational processes and courses. "Complaints are taken seriously and investigated and acted upon at the highest level. "The College works actively with hospitals across Australia and New Zealand to ensure there is a safe educational and working environment for surgical trainees and surgeons.  "To contend that reporting will impact on one’s career advancement is simply wrong and ill-informed."
AMA President A/Prof Brian Owler said the AMA does not condone sexual harassment, workplace bullying, or any other intimidating or threatening behaviour towards women doctors in medical workplaces.
“We are disturbed by reports of an alleged ‘scourge of sexual harassment’ in Australian hospitals,” A/Prof Owler said. “This is not my experience or the experience of my colleagues who work in both the public and private hospital systems across the country. “There may be a small number of cases – as is the case in most professions – but there are processes in place to identify and punish any offenders.
“The AMA encourages any women doctors who have experienced harassment or bullying to speak up and seek help. The profession will not tolerate sexual harassment in any form in the workplace. “We do not support the reported advice from a senior female doctor that the next generation of female doctors should submit or give in to bullying or sexual advances to protect their careers.
“That is reckless and irresponsible advice that does not belong anywhere in contemporary Australian society. “The AMA is proud of the achievements of women doctors and we encourage the increasing feminisation of the medical workforce – and we will do all we can to ensure women have safe and encouraging workplaces and rewarding careers as doctors,” A/Prof Owler said.