Perceived abuse in undergraduate medical students of Lahore, Pakistan: a cross-sectional study

Background: Abuse is any unwanted act which causes distress to someone either physically or mentally. Studies have shown that medical students from all over the world experience abuse on daily basis but such studies are lacking in Pakistan. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was employed to conduct this study. 385 students took part in the study from all the undergraduate years at CMH Lahore Medical College, Lahore Cantonment. Questionnaire containing questions about perceived abuse and demographics were given to the students after their verbal consent. Results: 358 students formed the final sample. Male and female students equally participated in the study. 2nd and 3rd year medical students largely contributed to the study. More than 90% of the students identified themselves to have been abused at least once during their medical school. 9.7% students stated that they have never experienced any form of abuse. 11% of students experienced sexual harassment with males leading females. Pre-clinical faculty were the largest source of mistreatment. Linear regression revealed male gender and being a student from 3rd, 4th and 5th year to be a positive predictor of medical student abuse. Conclusion: Medical student abuse is rampant in Pakistan. Abuse has serious impact on the view of medical students and make them cynical. It is something which requires active interventions of the institutions to weed out to make a comfortable environment for the doctors of tomorrow.