1 in 9 medical students face verbal aggression, sexual intimidation, and discrimination

One in nine medical students in the Netherlands still experiences unwanted behavior despite growing attention to safety in health care, a new survey by De Geneeskundestudent has found. At the same time, students have reportedly become less willing to report most types of incidents.

The survey, conducted among a representative group of more than 2,000 medical students, showed the share experiencing unwanted behavior fell from 12.6 percent in 2022 to 11.3 percent. Verbal aggression was the most common form, cited by 55 percent of those affected. Sexual intimidation followed at more than 31 percent — an increase from the previous survey — and discrimination at 29 percent. Female students were victimized more often than male students.

Berk Uzunalioglu, chair of De Geneeskundestudent, described the slight decline as a positive development, but cautioned against complacency. “Every unpleasant experience in this area is one too many,” Uzunalioglu said.

The survey did not ask students why they report less often. Uzunalioglu said the drop may stem from co-assistants’ dependence on evaluations from supervisors during clinical rotations.

“Apparently, they do not feel safe enough to report it. As a co-assistant, you are a ‘guest’ in a department for a few weeks. You don’t want any hassle, or you might be afraid of reactions from others,” he said. “We must investigate this further, because when unwanted behavior is not reported, it remains invisible to faculty and supervisors. As a result, necessary measures are not taken.”

More than three-quarters of students who reported unwanted behavior were in the master’s phase, where clinical rotations take place.

Uzunalioglu said faculties and supervisors must act. “Despite the increasing attention to social safety in health care, medical students still face too much unwanted behavior. Everyone should prioritize this issue. As far as we are concerned, medical faculties and supervisors of co-assistants should take urgent measures,” he said.