The German Society of General Practice and Family Medicine (DEGAM), the German Foundation for General Practice and Family Medicine (DESAM), the German Network of Competence Centers in Continuing Education (DNKW) and the Young General Practice Germany (JADE) welcome the current debate about abuse of power in the health care system. The four organisations are committed to actively countering boundary crossings and assaults and recommend concrete measures for specialist training.

The associations are reacting to reports of sexual harassment and abuse of power at the German Medical Congress in Hanover. They join calls for more reflection, prevention and protection concepts as well as a fundamental cultural change in the entire healthcare system.

Prof. Dr. Marco Roos, Vice President of DEGAM, explained that it is important to ensure a safe, respectful and non-discriminatory learning and working environment throughout medical education and training. Dr. Martina Bischoff, deputy spokesperson of the DNKW, emphasized that existing power relations cannot be changed overnight, but preventive and consistent action is necessary.

The organisations recommend the following measures to the affiliated competence centres for continuing education in general medicine and other training institutions:

• Introduction of a code of conduct for seminar speakers, mentors and trainers.
• Targeted training to educate people about discriminatory behaviour, power asymmetries, transgressions of boundaries and their consequences.
• Thematization, sensitization and reflection in the context of group mentoring.
• Making contact points for injustice or discrimination visible with the mediation of further structures such as ombudsman offices.

The four institutions see these measures as part of a continuous development process. They want to make those affected heard, initiate institutional learning processes and anchor a culture of mindfulness, transparency and responsibility in the healthcare system.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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