Sexual Harassment and Cardiothoracic Surgery: #UsToo?

Background Fifty-eight percent of women in science, engineering, and medicine report being affected by sexual harassment (SH). This study sought to determine the extent of SH in cardiothoracic surgery. Methods The study developed a survey that was based on the Sexual Experience Questionnaire-Workplace, physician wellness, and burnout surveys. The survey was open to responses for 45 days and was disseminated through The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Women in Thoracic Surgery, and Thoracic Surgery Residents Association listservs. A reminder email was issued at 28 days. Student t tests, Fisher exact tests, and χ2 tests were used to compare results. Results Of 790 respondents, 75% were male and 82% were attending surgeons. A total of 81% of female surgeons vs 46% of male attending surgeons experienced SH (P Conclusions SH is present in cardiothoracic surgery among faculty and trainees. Although women surgeons are more commonly affected, male surgeons also are subjected to SH. Despite witnessed events, intervention currently is limited. Policies, safeguards, and bystander training should be instituted to decrease these events.