Doctors in Hamburg: Alarming survey on abuse of power!

Doctors in Hamburg: Alarming survey on abuse of power!

What is happening in the healthcare system and how are the specialists in our clinics doing? These questions are in the air, especially in the light of a stylish survey among doctors in Hamburg hospitals. The results are alarming: According to the Marburger Bund, more than half of the participants reported abuse of power in their clinics. Over 51% even stated that they had been confronted with it several times. Only a small minority of 12% said they had never had to deal with such abuses. The survey took place as part of a larger project and affects around 500 doctors who work in Hamburg, where a total of over 7,000 doctors work.

Also shocking are the reports of discriminatory comments. More than 80% of respondents have heard racist, sexist or irrelevant comments in their work environment. An infamous example is: "Oh, you're pregnant? Then your career is over." Such statements demonstrate the unhealthy climate that exists in many medical facilities. Pedram Emami, the regional head of the Marburger Bund in Hamburg, calls the power structures worrying and speaks of a “structural problem” in the healthcare system, which can partly be traced back to patriarchal influences.

Discrimination in healthcare

This problem is not limited to Hamburg. A survey by the University of Göttingen has shown that an overwhelming majority of female doctors at university hospitals have experienced gender-based discrimination. A shocking 76% of respondents reported discrimination. In addition, women who fight against discrimination are often systematically pushed out of their jobs. The case of Elke Küßner, a once successful senior physician, highlights this problem. After she reported irregularities in the training of junior doctors, she was confronted with threats and bullying. Her situation ended tragically with her suicide in November 2023.

As an anti-discrimination commissioner, Ferda Ataman emphasizes that the power imbalance in the health sector systematically exacerbates discrimination against women. While 62.6% of students in human medicine are women, only 13% of chief physician positions are held by women. This highlights the structural problems and the need for reforms in the health system.

Boundary violations and abuse of power

Unfortunately, boundary violations and abuse of power are the order of the day in the healthcare system. According to the Association of Women Doctors, various professional groups are affected, with young women often being the target of sexual assault by superiors. The transitions between professional and private life are often fluid, which exacerbates the problem. This results in many victims being reluctant to report incidents for fear of negative consequences or a “culture of silence” within their institutions.

Overall, it is clear that there is an urgent need for action. The reports of abuse of power, discrimination and boundary violations show how deeply rooted these problems are in the healthcare system. Only through open discussions and sustainable changes can working conditions for doctors be improved. And this is not only important for the employees, but ultimately also for the patients, who depend on high-quality and respectful medical care.

In light of recent developments, society must finally respond to these grievances in order to create a fair and safe working environment for everyone in the healthcare sector. It is time not only to talk about the problems, but also to put concrete solutions on the table. The well-being of medical professionals and patients must not be lost sight of.

Read more about the survey and the results at NDR and discrimination against female doctors daily news. Further information on boundary violations and abuse of power can be found at Female Doctors' Association.