Obstetric and gynecological violence: awareness and experience of French residents in gynecology. A cross-sectional survey

J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod. 2026 May 17:103213. doi: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2026.103213. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Obstetric and gynecological violence (OGV) is a long-standing issue that affects the experiences of both patients and caregivers. This study explores the awareness, experiences, and practices of obstetrics and gynecology residents in France, within a context of ongoing controversy.

METHODS: A nationwide survey was carried out between September and December 2023, via a questionnaire distributed to French obstetrics-gynecology and medical gynecology residents. It consists of 37 questions, most of which are closed-ended (answers based on Likert scales, ranging from 1 to 10), but some of which could be completed with free text. The primary objective of this study was to assess gynecology residents’ awareness of OGV (defined according to the French Haut Conseil à l’Égalité criteria). The secondary objectives were to evaluate their knowledge and personal experiences and to identify areas for improvement in training.

RESULTS: Of the 1459 eligible French gynecology residents, 455 (31.2%) participated. Nearly all respondents (98.9%) were familiar with the concept of OGV, and 98.7% acknowledged its existence. Awareness was primarily acquired through social networks (74.5%) and clinical internships (73.4%), while university teaching played only a minor role (16%). A total of 398 residents (87.5%) reported witnessing OGV during their training, with 42.9% encountering it frequently. The most commonly reported forms were procedures performed without explicit consent (31.2%) and insufficient communication (14.1%). Residents also identified major contributors to OGV, including emergencies (93.2%), lack of time (92.7%), fatigue (85.5%), and stress (81.8%). In their clinical practice, residents reported more systematic consent seeking, clearer information provided to women, and greater consideration of patient modesty and pain management.

CONCLUSION: This nationwide survey shows that nearly all French gynecology residents are aware of OGV and acknowledge its existence. However, awareness is mainly acquired during residency, largely through informal sources such as social networks and clinical internships, rather than through university teaching. The high frequency of reported exposure to OGV and the identification of modifiable contributing factors highlight the need to strengthen structured education, communication training, and formal teaching on respectful care during medical training.

PMID:42150689 | DOI:10.1016/j.jogoh.2026.103213