Female doctors and doctors trained in Germany are at the mercy of their bosses: harassment, discrimination, bullying and other things

A doctor supervising Kara Krajewski's training agreed to allow her to perform surgeries to complete the requirements for her professional training as a pediatric neurosurgeon, but "in exchange for me getting naked in front of him," the young doctor told an investigative team from the German channel 1 (ARD), as reported by the public news site "Tagesschau."

According to the investigation, the hospital confirmed that after reviewing the complaint, it was not possible to prove the veracity of the allegations.

The doctor says that she contacted the “equal opportunities” officer at the hospital. He recommended that she change the specialty or hospital. And I actually left the hospital. Today she works in the field of palliative care.

Kara devotes her Instagram account to many posts about “bullying,” “abuse of power,” and other forms of discrimination by superiors against those lower than them on the career ladder.

Structural problem

The survey revealed that 13% of nearly 9,000 male and female doctors reported being exposed to sexual harassment in the past 12 months, while 49% reported being exposed to abuse of power such as bullying, harassment, and insults.

The results of the opinion poll, conducted by the largest German doctors' union, Der Marburger Bund, were published in April 2026.

In the vast majority of cases (87%), the perpetrators were superiors, most of whom were men. Marburger Bond attributed the matter to a "structural problem."

“Chef satisfaction is the hospital’s only currency.”

“Traditional and strict hierarchies prevail in German hospitals,” confirms Arne Kilmer, a lawyer specializing in labor law. Senior doctors in hospitals, especially in surgical departments, are the ones who can provide trainees and juniors with opportunities to participate in operations and professional development. One doctor describes the situation by saying: “The president’s satisfaction is the only currency in the hospital,” as the public news site “Tagesschau” reported on the investigation by German Channel 1 (ARD).

Although about 70% of medical students are female, surgery is dominated by men.

Klaus Reinhardt, head of the Federal Doctors' Chamber "Bundesärztekammer", confirms that there have been cases of sexual harassment of female doctors: "I was surprised by the size and nature of the accusations that were raised," calling for an end to sexual discrimination and abuse of power.

Difference between states

In April 2026, the largest union federation of German doctors, Der Marburger Bund, presented proposals aimed at limiting the power of senior doctors, by establishing binding and enforceable “curricula” for training specialist doctors, or expanding the circle of doctors supervising the training of female and male trainee doctors. However, the branches of the Chamber of Physicians in the states are not as enthusiastic about this step.

The German Federal Chamber of Physicians, “Bundesärztekammer,” stresses the necessity of “locally” organizing the training of male and female doctors, indicating that the issue of some senior doctors exploiting their powers will be included in its conference next year, according to an investigation by the German Channel 1 (ARD) and as reported by the public “Tagesschau” news website.