Recently, the public was shocked by reports of alleged sexual violence committed by an anesthesiology resident enrolled in the Specialist Doctor Education Program (PPDS) at a hospital in Bandung City, Indonesia. The incident serves as a stark reminder that healthcare facilities, spaces meant for protection and healing, still have vulnerabilities to power-based violence.
Despite society’s trust in the medical profession, this case highlights the urgent need to strengthen patient protection systems and comprehensively evaluate the supervision and guidance of medical professionals, including those undergoing specialty training.
In response to this case, the Academic Hospital of Universitas Gadjah Mada (RSA UGM), as a teaching hospital, recognizes its significant responsibility in shaping clinically competent medical professionals and upholding ethical values and professionalism.
Dr. Darwito, Director of RSA UGM, emphasized that the PPDS selection process at RSA UGM evaluates academic competence and personal integrity.
“The selection process doesn’t stop at academic scores. After academic tests, we also conduct psychological assessments such as the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) and interviews to explore character,” he said.
At the beginning of their program, PPDS participants attend a general lecture on medical ethics, which is one of the core topics. This material is intended to provide a foundational understanding of the moral principles future medical specialists must adhere to.
However, Dr. Darwito emphasized that ethics is not a one-time lesson.
Instead, ethical values must be continuously instilled, practiced, and reinforced throughout clinical training.
In the complex and high-pressure world of medicine, ethical behavior does not emerge instantly; it must be cultivated through sustained processes, real patient interactions, and consistent role-modeling from educators.
“This is a lifelong learning process,” he added.
He stressed that ethical education must be integrated into residents’ daily lives from the beginning of their studies to their independent practice as specialists.
In this context, lecturers and primary care doctors (DPJP) are crucial as both mentors and role models.
RSA UGM applies a tiered education system with strict supervision. Residents go through red, yellow, and green phases, ranging from observation to supervised and eventually independent practice, under the constant guidance of DPJP.
The DPJP also conducts ethical and communication evaluations and is key in assessing residents’ overall performance.
“Red-stage residents are not allowed to handle patients. Yellow means under guidance. Green means they can practice independently. But all stages remain under DPJP supervision,” Dr. Darwito explained.
Regarding the issue of sexual violence, RSA UGM acknowledges that there is currently no standalone training specifically on the topic. However, discussions on sexual violence, bullying, and abuse of power are integrated into early education sessions.
This reflects the RSA UGM and UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM)’s shared commitment to preserving the dignity of medical education.
“All residents here sign a contract stating that such actions are prohibited. If violated, they are referred back to the faculty,” he stated.
Preventive measures are continually implemented to create a safe educational and healthcare environment for patients and medical staff.
RSA UGM has installed CCTV cameras in strategic areas throughout the hospital to ensure that activities are properly monitored and recorded.
This surveillance system serves as a crucial tool to deter misconduct and ensure transparency in interactions within the hospital.
In addition, the hospital enforces a gender-based shift schedule to prevent vulnerabilities and maintain comfort for all trainees.
The presence of DPJPs as primary supervisors in all educational activities ensures that the learning process remains physically safe, ethically sound, and professionally conducted.
“We try to avoid mixing male and female residents during shifts. DPJPs monitor all training activities,” said Dr. Darwito.
When asked about how RSA UGM responds to cases of sexual violence outside the institution, Dr. Darwito emphasized the importance of distinguishing between actions committed within the scope of educational activities and personal conduct.
“If it’s a purely criminal matter, then it’s the state’s jurisdiction. But if it occurs within the hospital’s educational environment, we can impose academic sanctions, including dismissal. If the incident happens on our premises, the institution must act. But if it’s off-site and outside academic hours, that’s beyond our authority,” he asserted.
This incident serves as a pivotal reflection moment for RSA UGM to further strengthen its educational system, not only to produce competent doctors but also dignified ones.
Dr. Darwito reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to upholding three core principles: ethics, norms, and law. With layered supervision and exemplary educators, RSA UGM continues to build a safe and meaningful learning environment.
Public trust in the medical field can only be maintained if educational institutions remain committed to instilling ethical and human values.
“We uphold ethics and norms through SOPs and good examples. Legal matters are left to the authorities. What’s important is that education must embed these values from the beginning,” the director concluded.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographs: RSA UGM