Prevalence and forms of gender discrimination and sexual harassment among medical students and physicians in French-speaking Switzerland: a survey

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and forms of gender discrimination and sexual harassment experienced by medical students and physicians in French-speaking part of Switzerland.

DESIGN AND SETTING

We conducted an online survey using a questionnaire of 9 multiple-choice and 2 open questions between 24 January 2019 and 24 February 2019. Our target population was medical students and physicians working at hospitals and general practitioners from the French-speaking part of Switzerland. The online survey was sent via social media platforms and direct emails. We compared answers between male-determined and female-determined respondents using either χ² or Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTS

Among 1071 responders, a total of 893 were included (625 females, 264 males, 4 non-binary and 1 non-binary and male). 178 were excluded because they did not mention their working place or were working only outside Switzerland. Because of the small number of non-binary participants, they were not contemplated in further statistical analysis. Of 889 participants left, 199 (31.8%) women and 18 (6.8%) men reported having personally experienced gender discrimination, in terms of sexism, difficulties in career development and psychological pressure. Among women, senior attendings were the most affected (55.2%), followed by residents (44.1%) and junior attendings (41.1%). Sexual harassment was equally observed among women (19.0%) and men (16.7%). Compared with men (47.0%), women (61.4%) expressed the need to promote equality and inclusivity in medicine more frequently (p<0.001), as well as the need for support in their professional development (38.7% women and 23.9% men; p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Gender discrimination in medicine in French-speaking Switzerland affects one-third of women, in particular, those working in hospital settings and senior positions.

Early Proteinuria Is a Strong Indicator of Donor Renal Lesions, Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury and Immunological Aggression

BACKGROUND

Early proteinuria is associated with reduced long-term graft survival. However, the determinants and mechanisms of proteinuria early after transplantation have not been identified.

METHODS

Parameters associated with proteinuria within the first 3 months following transplantation were retrospectively assessed among 484 renal transplant recipients.

RESULTS

Proteinuria was more abundant in patients with a history of two or more rejection episodes (0.42 +/- 0.68 vs 0.18 +/- 0.39 g/d; P = .02). Proteinuria was greater when donor age was 60 or more (OR: 4.43; P = .003), when recipient death was due to cardiovascular causes (OR: 1.98; P = .002), or when cold (OR: 1.77; P = .006) or warm (1.21; P = .09) ischemia times were prolonged.

CONCLUSIONS

Proteinuria early after transplantation was related to pretransplant renal lesions, ischemia-reperfusion, and immunologic injuries.