Strategies for preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment in healthcare settings: a qualitative meta-synthesis

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the strategies used by healthcare workers to address workplace sexual harassment (WSH). Design This study employed a qualitative meta-synthesis design. Data sources A comprehensive literature search was conducted across six sources: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Google Scholar was used as a supplementary search source to increase search sensitivity and identify potentially relevant studies that may not have been indexed in the selected bibliographic databases. Data collection was conducted from October 2024 to December 2024. Eligibility criteria Only English-language articles were included, with no restrictions on publication date. The focus of the data analysis was on healthcare workers’ strategies to address SH. Data extraction and synthesis This meta-synthesis followed three steps: (i) identifying eligible articles through inclusion and exclusion criteria, (ii) conducting quality appraisal and data extraction, and (iii) summarizing and synthesizing the findings. The PRISMA 2020 flow diagram was used to illustrate the study identification and selection process. The review was reported in accordance with the ENTREQ statement. The protocol was not prospectively registered. Results A total of 6065 records were identified through database searches. Following the PRISMA 2020 reporting guideline for study selection, 17 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final synthesis. The synthesis resulted in one overarching theme comprising two subthemes and five categories. The subtheme of “Individual strategies for responding to workplace sexual harassment” had three categories: (1) minimizing exposure, (2) avoidance behaviours, and (3) coping behaviours. The subtheme of an “Organizational strategies for addressing workplace sexual harassment” had two categories: (1) organizational interventions, and (2) support from senior colleagues. Conclusion Organizational interventions were identified as important approaches for preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment among healthcare workers. However, avoidance behaviours were commonly reported as individual responses. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive employee training, effective reporting mechanisms, and consistent implementation and monitoring of anti-sexual-harassment policies within healthcare organizations.