Discrimination and violence against medical students at the University of Caldas

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to show and characterize acts of discrimination and violence occurring among medical students at the University of Caldas (Colombia).
Materials and method: This is a descriptive, prospective, cross sectional study, conducted between the first semester of 2010 and the second semester of 2011; the sample was randomly selected to obtain 88 undergraduate students.

Results: The 86.4% of students had the antecedent of one of the studied events: discrimination by physical appearance, origin, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation and religion; verbal, physical and psychological aggression; abuse of authority; workplace harassment; threat or intimidation; sanction or punishment; blackmail; teasing, compliments, or obscene gestures; exclusion; sexual harassment and rape. The most frequently reported types of violence were abuse of authority and psychological aggression.

Conclusion: The results show the existence of discrimination and violence against medical students and document the need for interventions by the University welfare and administrative staff.