Journal article
Expert Recommendations for Designing Reporting Systems to Address Patient-Perpetrated Sexual Harassment in Healthcare Settings
Journal of general internal medicine : JGIM, Vol.37(14), pp.3723-3730
03/09/2022
DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07467-8
PMCID: PMC9585114
PMID: 35266124
Abstract
Background Patient-perpetrated sexual harassment toward staff and patients is prevalent in Veterans Affairs and other healthcare settings. However, many healthcare facilities do not have adequate systems for reporting patient-perpetrated harassment, and there is limited evidence to guide administrators in developing them. Objective To identify expert recommendations for designing effective systems for reporting patient-perpetrated sexual harassment of staff and patients in Veterans Affairs and other healthcare settings. Design We conducted qualitative interviews with subject matter experts in sexual harassment prevention and intervention during 2019. Participants We used snowball sampling to recruit subject matter experts. Participants included researchers, clinicians, and administrators from Veterans Affairs/other healthcare, academic, military, and non-profit settings (n = 33). Approach We interviewed participants via telephone using a semi-structured guide and analyzed interview data using a constant comparative approach. Key Results Expert recommendations for designing reporting systems to address patient-perpetrated sexual harassment focused on fostering trust, encouraging reporting, and deterring harassment. Recommendations included the following: (1) promote a climate in which harassment is not tolerated; (2) take proportional, corrective actions in response to reports; (3) minimize adverse outcomes for reporting parties; (4) facilitate and simplify reporting processes; and (5) hold the reporting system accountable. Specific strategies related to each recommendation were also identified. Conclusions This qualitative study generated initial recommendations to guide healthcare administrators and policy makers in assessing, developing, and improving systems for reporting patient-perpetrated sexual harassment toward staff and other patients. Results indicate that proactive, careful design and ongoing evaluation are essential for ensuring that reporting systems have their intended effects and mitigating the risks of inadequate systems. Additional research is needed to evaluate strategies that effectively address patient-perpetrated harassment while balancing patients' clinical needs.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Expert Recommendations for Designing Reporting Systems to Address Patient-Perpetrated Sexual Harassment in Healthcare Settings
- Creators
- Karissa M. Fenwick - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemKaren E. Dyer - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemRuth Klap - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemKristina Oishi - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemJessica L. Moreau - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemElizabeth M. Yano - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemBevanne Bean-Mayberry - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemAnne G. Sadler - Iowa City VA Health Care SystemAlison B. Hamilton - VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of general internal medicine : JGIM, Vol.37(14), pp.3723-3730
- DOI
- 10.1007/s11606-022-07467-8
- PMID
- 35266124
- PMCID
- PMC9585114
- NLM abbreviation
- J Gen Intern Med
- ISSN
- 0884-8734
- eISSN
- 1525-1497
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 8
- Grant note
- TPH 65-000-15 / VA Office of Academic Affiliations through the Health Services Research fellowship program RCS 05-195; RCS 21-135 / VA HSR&D Senior Research Career Scientist Award CIN 13-417 / VA HSR&D Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation and Policy PPO 18-112 / VA HSRD pilot grant
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/09/2022
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry; Injury Prevention Research Center
- Record Identifier
- 9984281752902771
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