News — Waltham — February 28, 2024 — but many report experiencing bullying, discrimination, or differential treatment in their workplaces, according to research presented in (CORR®), a publication of ®. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by .
"This juxtaposition of increased visibility and persistent discrimination highlights the need for continued efforts toward creating a more supportive environment in orthopaedic surgery," say senior author Julie Balch Samora, MD, PhD, MPH, an orthopaedic surgeon at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and colleagues.
Internet-based survey quantified adverse experiences
The researchers analyzed data provided by 156 individuals who completed a voluntary survey when they registered online for membership in Pride Ortho, a mentorship and inclusivity initiative for LGBTQ+ orthopaedic surgeons and allies. Most respondents (64%) identified as LGBTQ+, with 50% being at the attending stage of their careers and most others being trainees (27% medical students, 12% residents, and 5% fellows).
Key findings of the survey were:
- Of the 100 LGBTQ+ respondents, 94 said they were out in their workplace (open about their identity), but 31 of those 94 were out only to certain co-workers
- Most LGBTQ+ respondents, 74%, reported either “yes” or “maybe” to questions about perceived experiences of bullying, discrimination, or being treated differently in the workplace
- Of the straight or heterosexual respondents, 92% answered “no” to experiencing any sort of bullying, discrimination, or being treated differently
- There was no geographic variation in reported experiences of bullying and discriminatory behaviors
Creating safer, more inclusive environments
The authors note that bullying and discrimination can deter individuals from beginning and completing their training in orthopaedic surgery. While they favor enforcing no-tolerance policies against bullying and discrimination, they caution that focusing purely on punitive measures has been shown to be ineffective in addressing the root problem in the workplace.
Dr. Samora’s group suggests additional steps that healthcare institutions can take to support LGBTQ+ orthopaedic trainees and professionals and improve their sense of belonging and engagement:
- Establish protective reporting policies and procedures
- Continuously collect feedback from all professionals in the workplace about their perceptions of the environment and current policies, and refine policies as needed
- Implement diversity and sensitivity training programs such as training about implicit bias, allyship, and bystander intervention
- Promote LGBTQ+ surgeons into leadership roles
"Addressing these issues is key to creating a more diverse and empathetic workforce within orthopaedic institutions," Dr. Samora and her co-authors conclude, "which in turn can lead to improved patient care and a better work environment."
Wolters Kluwer provides trusted clinical technology and evidence-based solutions that engage clinicians, patients, researchers and students in effective decision-making and outcomes across health care. We support clinical effectiveness, learning and research, and clinical surveillance and compliance, as well as data solutions. For more information about our solutions, visit .
###
About Wolters Kluwer
Wolters Kluwer (EURONEXT: WKL) is a global leader in information, software, and services for professionals in health care, tax and accounting, financial and corporate compliance, legal and regulatory, and corporate performance and ESG. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with specialized technology and services.
Wolters Kluwer reported 2022 annual revenues of €5.5 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 20,900 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.
For more information, visit , follow us on , , and .
RSS