Bullying in medicine not limited to junior doctors
Today the New Zealand Resident Doctors Association published a press release exposing the high rate of bullying and
sexual harassment junior doctors experience in the medical workforce.
Bullying and harassment also affects medical students say New Zealand Medical Students’ Association (NZMSA) President
Elizabeth Berryman.
“It’s not uncommon to hear of medical students being humiliated or even brought to tears by their supervisors.”
It therefore comes as no surprise that depression is more common in medical students, and those experiencing multiple
forms of distress are up to 24 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts.
“This harassment affects medical student wellbeing and clearly contributes to the higher rates of mental illness we
face.”
The NZMSA have been developing policy in conjunction with the Australian Medical Students’ Association to stamp out
bullying and harassment.
“We need more avenues for reporting bullying and harassment within medical schools and hospitals, including anonymous
routes. The medical hierarchy means students worry a complaint against a superior may affect their career prospects.”
“We also need to implement support structures, both for those who are affected by harassment and those who perpetrate it
to prevent further occurrences.”
ENDS