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A recent Medscape survey, the “European Doctors’ Sexual Harassment Report 2025,” reveals that sexual harassment and abusive behaviors persist within European medical workplaces, impacting doctors’ well-being and patient care. The survey, which gathered responses from 4,339 clinicians across six European countries, paints a troubling picture of a profession still grappling with systemic issues.
The report details various forms of harassment, including unwanted sexual comments, leering, inappropriate touching, and persistent sexual propositions. Notably, perpetrators were predominantly male superiors, with physicians being the most common offenders. In a concerning number of cases (5%-10%), harassment involved offers of professional advancement in exchange for sexual favors or threats of punishment for refusal.
The United Kingdom reported the highest rate of personal experience with sexual harassment, with 9% of respondents reporting such incidents, a threefold increase since Medscape’s 2019 survey. This surge occurred despite the General Medical Council’s implementation of a zero-tolerance policy in early 2024. Witnessing harassment also doubled in the UK and was highest in Germany, with 14% of doctors reporting witnessing harassment.
While some countries have taken steps to address the issue, progress remains uneven. In Germany, efforts to combat sexual harassment have increased, with nearly half of German doctors reporting that the issue is being taken more seriously. In contrast, Italian doctors reported a lack of knowledge regarding workplace grievance procedures, and were the most likely to remain silent during incidents.
France, where sexual harassment is a criminal offense, saw a higher rate of doctors being accused of harassment compared to other surveyed countries. French doctors were also the most likely to confront perpetrators, but a significant proportion reported quitting their jobs due to harassment. Spain, despite implementing new prevention laws, still reported significant rates of harassment.
Portugal showed the lowest rate of personal harassment experiences, but also revealed a disconnect between perceived workplace respect and the lack of formal anti-harassment mechanisms. Concerns were raised regarding the difficulty in gathering evidence and the fear of repercussions, which often deter victims from reporting incidents.
The findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address sexual harassment in the medical field. The consequences, including psychological distress, impaired patient care, and doctors leaving their jobs, underscore the severity of the problem.
Disclaimer: The findings presented in this article are based on a survey conducted by Medscape and may not represent the experiences of all European doctors. The data reflects self-reported experiences and may be subject to reporting bias. Further research and systemic changes are necessary to fully understand and address the issue of sexual harassment in the medical workplace.
