From wolf whistles to patients refusing treatment because of a doctor’s religion, doctors have described the homophobic, racist and sexist treatment they’re subjected to by patients – and the toll it takes. 

The US study revealed one fourth-year medical student’s account of witnessing such an encounter.

The student said: “[The doctor] was Sikh, so he had a long beard … the patient demanded, ‘I don’t want to be seen by a Muslim doctor.’”

Other experiences were more subtle, with one second-year resident of Syrian background reporting patients would comment on his name.