Medicus April 2016

C O V E R S T O R Y

The AMA has shared its concern, in addition to the survey data, with these organisations in order to collaborate with them to encourage positive change in workplace and training environments. It is incumbent on all employers to ensure that they provide a workplace environment free from discrimination and to enable reporting procedures for those who encounter sexual harassment. Our educational institutions owe a duty of care to their students, to ensure they remain supported and able to learn in an environment free from sexual harassment. The AMA is dedicated to advocating on behalf of our members to ensure that their workplace or educational institution remains safe, productive and supportive. As an initial step towards positive change and a zero tolerance approach towards sexual harassment, both the AMA (WA) and the Department of Health (WA) have committed to work together to tackle this. The Taskforce Against Sexual Harassment (TASH) will investigate this complex issue and propose a framework to act on and hopefully, substantially reduce incidences of sexual harassment in WA Health. The AMA looks forward to engaging with all employers and educational institutions that wish to take similar action. We will also continue to engage with the medical profession in order to assess the rate at which positive change is occurring and to highlight deficiencies in the medical profession’s approach towards inequality, discrimination and sexual harassment. In the meantime, the AMA remains available to anyone who wishes to discuss any of the issues raised in this edition of Medicus. The AMA, your AMA, looks forward to playing its part in making a difference. Obviously we cannot change this practice overnight, or single handed. But we must start.

All survey questions were optional and the percentages displayed below, unless otherwise indicated, are based on the number of respondents who answered each question. All respondents were asked if they have ever experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, including whilst applying for a job or a training program. The impetus behind asking this question was to establish the prevalence of sexual harassment in the medical profession in WA.

All of those who provided a response to this question ('Yes', 'No' and 'I’m Not Sure') identified themselves as coming from the following demographics.

Consultant

36%

Intern

4%

Registrar

17%

Retired

3%

SMO

<1%

Student

14%

GP

11%

Medical Officer

<1%

Specialist

<1%

RMO

10%

Not Specified

5%

Clinical Director

<1%

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