Two researchers who exposed extensive sexual harassment in the medical surgery field have been honoured with prestigious awards for their work.
Daljit Dhariwal and Professor Carrie Newlands were presented with the Colyer Gold Medal by the Royal College of Surgeons.
Miss Dhariwal is a consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and an Oxford University tutor.
Professor Newlands conducts her research at the University of Surrey.
The pair were lauded for their ‘ground-breaking contribution to the profession and wider society’ that uncovered widespread sexual misconduct within the medical surgery industry, including harassment, assault and rape.
Miss Dhariwal said: ‘As a leader, it is an honour and a responsibility to ensure there is a voice for those who have not found theirs yet. Although it is not easy to raise difficult subjects, it is the right thing to do.’
Prof Newlands, who conducts her research at the University of Surrey, highlighted the significant impact of their study.
‘It has sparked important discussions about making work environments in UK hospitals safer. While there’s much progress to be made, openly having these conversations is a significant first step.’
During a lecture at the University of Edinburgh earlier this year, entitled Sexual misconduct in surgery – breaking the silence, Professor Newlands stressed that an understanding of sexual misconduct is not limited to surgical staff: ‘Sexual misconduct by colleagues is a problem for all of healthcare, including patients,’ she said. ‘It is a worldwide problem, especially where there is a power imbalance.’
The research, published in the British Journal of Surgery, analysed responses from 1,434 participants, revealing that 63.3% of women and 23.7% of men had experienced sexual harassment from colleagues in the past five years.
The Colyer Gold Medal, awarded by the Royal College of Surgeons, recognises excellence in oral healthcare, service to the faculty and contributions to the profession or wider society through actions or discoveries.
This recognition underscores the importance of addressing and combatting sexual harassment within the medical profession, fostering safer and more respectful work environments for all healthcare professionals.
