By NOEL MURPHY
THE SUICIDE of a medical intern at Geelong hospital has highlighted concerns about workplace harassment and the mental health of medical students, doctors in training and health care professionals, according to the Medical Journal of Australia.
The intern was one week into an internship at Barwon Health’s Geelong hospital, the journal reported.
Together with three other sudden deaths, of psychiatry registrars at Melbourne hospitals, the tragedies were labelled “a perfect storm that’s been a long time coming”.
Sydney University’s Dr Kimberley Ivory told the journal a recent analysis found that 59 per cent of medical trainees had “experienced at least one form of harassment or discrimination during their training”.
“Medical education functions by teaching through modelling,” Dr Ivory said.
“Students see a behaviour modelled by a successful older doctor and copy that behaviour; adopting and perpetuating bullying, teaching by humiliation and, in extreme cases, sexual harassment.
“Medical culture is at the core of this issue. That culture is entrenched by modelling.
“There are doctors who shame doctors. And there is a stigma within the wider community as well, that doctors should be infallible.”
Dr Ivory said the stigma was a “definite barrier” stopping doctors with mental health issues from accessing support.
“And that’s particularly true of young doctors in their training years because of the fear that it will somehow be detrimental to their progression.”
Dr Ivory blamed an “institutional culture” as“the root cause of this persistent, pervasive and destructive problem”.
But she hoped the problems would fail to discourage prospective medical students from their chosen career path.
Barwon Health told the independent the health and well-being of its staff was “of utmost important to us”.
“Barwon Health has a comprehensive staff care service in place that includes programs specifically designed to assist staff and trainees to build resilience and includes a program tailored specifically for doctors,” spokesperson Kate Bibby said.
“These services have extended hours for ease of accessibility, meeting the needs of our many shift workers.
“Barwon Health expects individuals to exhibit appropriate behaviours in the workplace, and ensure our work environment is free from all forms of behaviour that are unacceptable (including bullying, harassment and discrimination).
“There is a well-documented process in place for managing complaints and employees are encouraged to report inappropriate behaviour for investigation and action.”
Anyone with personal issues can phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.
