Karisa Walker, M.D., M.Ed., associate professor of anesthesiology, is the lead author on a recently published research report in Pediatric Anesthesia examining the prevalence of sexual harassment (SH) among pediatric anesthesiology fellowship program directors, associate program directors, and fellows. Her paper, “Harassment and Burnout in Academic Pediatric Anesthesiology,” assessed the relationship between sexual harassment and burnout in these academic settings.
“Over the last 30 years, numerous studies describe an ongoing presence of sexual harassment affecting both male and female physicians at all levels of training and practice,” the article notes. “SH has been found to be more prevalent in academic hospitals and in certain specialties; both specialty choice and career decisions are impacted by experiencing SH.”
Walker, who is also the associate program director of education assessments, was joined in her research by co-authors from the Monroe Carell J. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Children’s National Hospital at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University Medical Center, Texas Children’s Hospital at the Baylor College of Medicine, and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
The authors received survey responses from 163 pediatric anesthesiology fellowship directors, associate program directors, and fellows. Nearly half of those surveyed reported either experiencing or witnessing SH, which is in line with similar studies of other medical specialties. Women were disproportionally affected compared to men.
The article also explores the relationship between harassment and burnout. “Unfortunately, the consequences of harassment can have lasting and significant effects,” state the authors. “Women who have been harassed may have increased anxiety, stress, depression, symptoms of PTSD, decreased job satisfaction, lower self-esteem, and possibly higher rates of burnout; they may avoid opportunities and may leave their institution or field as a result of harassment.”
The authors call for future studies to examine the long-term effects of harassment on career progression, mental health, and patient care, as well as the effectiveness of institutional and national initiatives designed to reduce SH and promote healthier work environments in pediatric anesthesiology.
Congratulations to Dr. Walker and her co-authors!
FAQs
Q: What was the primary aim of Dr. Walker’s research?
A: The study sought to examine the prevalence of sexual harassment (SH) among pediatric anesthesiology fellowship program directors, associate program directors, and fellows and assess the relationship between sexual harassment and burnout.
Q: How many people were surveyed in the study?
A: Survey responses came from 163 individuals—including fellowship directors, associate directors, and fellows—across several large academic centers.
Q: What proportion of respondents reported experiencing or witnessing sexual harassment?
A: Nearly fifty‑percent of participants reported either having personally experienced SH or having witnessed it.
Q: Which group was disproportionately affected by harassment?
A: Women were more frequently affected than men, echoing similar patterns observed in other medical specialties.
Q: What do the authors recommend for future research and policy?
A: They call for longitudinal studies on career impact, mental‑health outcomes, and the efficacy of institutional measures designed to curb harassment and promote healthier workplace cultures in pediatric anesthesiology.