title: Sexual harassment of female chiropractors by their patients: a pilot survey of faculty at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to survey a group of female chiropractors and inquire as to whether or not they had been sexually harassed by their patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online questionnaire was emailed via Survey Monkey to 47 female faculty members at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC). Respondents were asked if they had been sexual harassed and, if so, the characteristics of the incident(s), their response to it, how serious they perceived the problem to be and whether or not they felt prepared to deal with it.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen of 47 questionnaires were completed and returned. Of these 19, eight respondents reported being sexually harassed by a patient (all male), most commonly within the first 5 years of practice and most commonly involving a 'new' patient. It was rarely anticipated. The nature of the harassment varied and respondents often ignored the incident. Most respondents perceive this to be a problem facing female chiropractors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although this is the first survey of its kind, this is a significant problem facing other healthcare professionals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among this group of respondents, sexual harassment by patients was a common occurrence. More training on how to handle it, during either a student's chiropractic education or offered as a continuing education program, may be warranted.
authors.affiliation: Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, 6100 Leslie St. Toronto, Ontario, M2H 3J1.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gleberzon
authors.affiliation: Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, 6100 Leslie St. Toronto, Ontario, M2H 3J1.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Statz
authors.affiliation: Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, 6100 Leslie St. Toronto, Ontario, M2H 3J1.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pym
keywords: chiropractic; chiropractor; harassment; patient; sexual