The Medical Journal of Australia has recently published an article confirming our longstanding belief that professional bullying in health care has reached an endemic level so serious that it is harming our healthcare providers and our patients. The article, entitling ‘Endemic unprofessional behaviour in health care: the mandate for a change in approach’, concluded that pervasive bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment are increasingly hard to ignore, yet evidence of effective interventions is lacking.
The Medical Observer reported that bullying and harassment of doctors and nurses endangers patient safety.
Drs Brewster & Waxman from Monash University recently published an article in Medical Journal of Australia asking ‘Why are doctors so unkind to each other? What has happened to collegiality?’ They further wrote: ‘Collegiality describes a work environment where responsibility and accountability are shared by colleagues, with mutual respect…Collegiality requires people to co-operate, be generous and treat colleagues with understanding. Recent discussions have highlighted the need for a kinder Australian health system which will help to improve the wellbeing of our colleagues and their patients.’
We observed that there are doctors holding influential position writing expert report to crucify other doctors in Medical Advisory Board meetings, Medical Board meetings and Tribunal hearing.
We need to ask AHPRA and the Medical Board of Australia as to why they are not taking effective steps to investigate and discipline offenders of professional bullying when studies after studies are reporting how patient safety is under serious threat by these offenders. Under the National Laws, AHPRA has an obligation to the public to act immediately and decisively to protect them, and this includes protecting our caring and competent doctors from being bullied to the brink of depression and suicide.
We are calling for AHPRA to publish names of these offenders to show what kind of disciplinary action the Medical Board has taken.
We are also calling for doctors and other healthcare professionals who have experienced bullying to take the bold step to report these offenders to AHPRA.
If you are not satisfied with how you are being treated by AHPRA or the Medical Board, we urge you to write to AHReform.
AHReform is now incorporated and is open to new members from the public to support our cause.
Just email AHReform to express your interest to join us and spread our mission to others you care about.
AHReform can be contacted via email: australianhealthreformgroup@gmail.com
AHReform can review your case and introduce you to our experienced legal advisors.
Do not suffer in isolation. As Prof Steve Robson, the President of RANZCOG, said: ‘“Learn from me: speak out, seek help, get treatment”.
Our solution to heal the mental trauma of the victimised doctors is to advocate for them and to urge AHPRA to take the right step to deter serial offenders from using their influential positions to perpetuate professional bullying.
Equally important, AHPRA needs to stop disciplining the victims of bully.