First-year residents don't understand how to handle depression in students. We saw a problem and asked the school to beef up student support services. Because residents interact more often with students at the hospital than do faculty, Dr. Jonas said programs also need to address student abuse by residents. The survey found residents accounted for more instances of abuse than did clinical faculty or nurses. On the other hand, some students take advantage of the issue and report reprimands as a form of abuse.
Perception is a part of it.
But statistics on abuse downplay the actual numbers of incidents, because most students fear repercussions if they speak out, according to Mehta, a senior at Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia. Fear of retribution still an obstacle Efforts by the AAMC and the American Medical Association over the past 10 years to shed light on the problem have reduced instances of abuse, Dr. Jonas said. But data showing declines must be taken with a grain of salt, he added. I ask them how many have been subject to sexual or verbal abuse or harassment. Most students sit there and don't say anything.