In this episode of Beatwise The Podcast, I, Dr. Sarah Birkhoelzer, explore the uncomfortable but essential topic of sexism, sexual harassment, and sexual assault in healthcare. I am joined by Dr. Becky Cox and Dr. Chelcie Jewitt, founders of Surviving in Scrubs, a movement created to expose and address sexual misconduct within medical training and clinical environments.
Together, we discuss the realities many healthcare professionals face behind closed doors - from everyday sexism to serious violations - and why these experiences so often go unreported. The conversation examines the scale of the problem, the systemic and cultural factors that allow it to persist, and the real consequences for staff wellbeing, workforce retention, and patient care. Dr. Cox and Dr. Jewitt also share how Surviving in Scrubs began, what the data tells us, and what meaningful change actually looks like - from safer reporting mechanisms to institutional accountability and allyship.
This episode is a call to awareness, responsibility, and action for individuals, organisations, and the healthcare system as a whole.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Introduction to Beatwise The Podcast
00:58 Meeting the founders of Surviving in Scrubs
02:38 How Surviving in Scrubs began
06:33 The scale of sexism and sexual harassment in healthcare
15:32 Impact on healthcare professionals and patient care
18:07 Progress so far and future goals
24:46 What individuals and institutions can do
30:28 Key takeaways and closing reflections
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