Bullying of medical students is widespread and unacceptable

Bullying of medical students is widespread and unacceptable

A new survey of over 300 New Zealand medical students has revealed that 52% of those surveyed had experienced bullying or sexual harassment in the last year.

Such behaviour was most commonly carried out by senior doctors and in some cases happened to students on a weekly or even daily basis.

New Zealand Medical Students’ Association (NZMSA) President Elizabeth Berryman says she is not surprised by the findings.

“It is unacceptable that bullying is so rife in our hospitals and disturbing that some senior clinicians are the most persistent offenders.”

“Unfortunately hospital culture tolerates the bullying of students and gives them few options to seek help when bullying or harassment occurs.”

Perpetrators, who are most commonly senior doctors, often determine a student’s grades and have power over a student’s future career prospects. This can make it difficult for medical students to seek help when they are bullied by staff.

Indeed, only a minority of bullying or sexual harassment incidents are ever reported. Just 11% of respondents who had experienced bullying or sexual harassment reported it to the DHB or medical schools.

Several stories from four different students noted racism towards their Asian ethnicity where a consultant refused to learn the names. Instead he referred to them as "Bob" or "Bill". He would not alter this for the students gender so all Asian male, female and other gender students are called "Bill". The racism, sexism and bullying was also evident daily to these students during their placements. “if you don’t pull hard enough, I’ll send you back to Hong Kong”, referring to a student assisting in a procedure. Also sexism when asking the nurses, “Who does Bill need to sleep with to get a prescription pad around here?” Another student was asked if they “ate dog for dinner.”

NZMSA President Elizabeth Berryman says the situation is unacceptable.

“Medical students are placed in a vulnerable position at the bottom of the medical hierarchy with little means of holding more senior perpetrators to account.”

The NZMSA is calling for the improvement of reporting processes for bullying and harassment as well as anonymous reporting of incidents that do occur.

We also call upon senior doctors to show leadership on the issue and work to build a culture with no tolerance for bullying or harassment.

“We challenge senior doctors to acknowledge the unacceptable behaviour some of their peers show towards medical students and to work with us to help stamp out this behaviour which is toxic for students, for patient care and for the medical profession’

ENDS

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