The tragic suicide of Catalina Gutiérrez, a surgical resident at Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, has sparked serious discussions about the treatment of students within the medical program. In her farewell letter, she expressed gratitude to her peers for their support, which led several students to come forward with their own stories of maltreatment that ultimately deterred them from pursuing their dreams of becoming surgeons.
Dr. María Rey, reflecting on her own experiences during her time in the program, described a hostile environment. She noted, “It was a year and a half in which I encountered a hostile atmosphere, where demanding expectations blurred the line with mistreatment. Microaggressions became part of our daily reality.” This revelation came during an interview on W Radio.
Dr. Rey recounted a particularly distressing incident where she faced verbal insults from an instructor during a surgical procedure. She bravely addressed the matter by suggesting they discuss it privately, away from the patient. Unfortunately, her concerns were dismissed when she sought constructive criticism afterward.
Despite formally reporting her experiences of mistreatment to both the head of her department and the director of the postgraduate program, she felt ignored as no substantial actions were taken. Rey pointed out that the normalization of abuse in the general surgery program is indicative of a broader culture of mistreatment that has persisted through generations.
Another former resident, Dr. Andrés Gómez, shared similar experiences, echoing Rey’s sentiments. He highlighted that the residency was rife with episodes of workplace harassment and undue pressure that fostered significant emotional burdens rather than motivating challenges. He expressed concern that the university’s response to the students’ allegations lacked sincerity, contrasting sharply with the public statements made by the institution.
Dr. Gómez criticized the teaching staff for justifying their abusive behaviors. He quoted a common saying among the faculty: “Don’t confuse demand with mistreatment.” He argued that if such a clarification is necessary, it indicates a serious problem where boundaries have been crossed.
Both doctors emphasized that their troubling experiences are not isolated incidents but rather part of a systematic issue affecting students across other departments within the university. They called for urgent reforms in the culture of education and the methods of teaching within the institution.
In light of the recent events and the allegations raised by Rey, Gómez, and others, Colombia’s Minister of Education, Daniel Rojas, has pledged to investigate the situation surrounding residents and to ensure their safety and well-being in academic environments. Rojas took to social media to extend his condolences to Gutiérrez’s family, noting that “mental health cannot be a marginal issue in discussions about higher education.”
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2024/07/22/residentes-de-medicina-denunciaron-los-abusos-a-los-que-fueron-sometidos-durante-su-formacion-en-la-universidad-javeriana/
