Australian Medical Association

The AMA strongly supports the global Life & Death campaign being launched in Australia today by the Australian Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that the Red Cross initiative reflects the position of both the AMA and the World Medical Association in respect to health workers providing care in world trouble spots.

On the inaugural National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence, the AMA reiterates its support for coordinated community action to stamp out bullying and violence, especially involving children and adolescents, but also in workplaces where it affects people of all ages.

AMA Vice President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that the AMA is acutely aware of community concerns around child and adolescent bullying and is taking active steps to raise awareness of bullying and the effect that it has on people’s health.

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said today that the AMA condemns the killing of eight foreign doctors in Afghanistan.

Dr Pesce said it is a tragedy that these doctors could lose their lives while seeking to provide medical care to poor and oppressed people in a country at war.

“Many doctors, including Australians, travel to the world’s trouble spots to provide vital medical services to the innocent victims of conflict,” Dr Pesce said.

AMA Position Statement: Workplace Bullying and Harassment - 2009

There is good evidence that bullying and harassment of doctors occurs in the workplace. One Australian study found that 50% of Australian junior doctors had been bullied in their workplace, and a New Zealand study reported that 50% of doctors had experienced at least one episode of bullying behaviour during their previous three or sixth-month clinical attachment.

Workplace bullying of members of the medical workforce can occur between colleagues students and employees, and any contractors, patients, and family members with whom they are dealing.

The evidence is clear that workplace bullying contributes to poor employee health including the physical and psychological manifestations of stress and depression. Workplace bullying may affect medical students, junior doctors or senior specialists. Workplace bullying and harassment may impact on the training and education of doctors. It creates a poor learning environment due to the continued erosion of confidence, skills and initiative of the doctor, thereby creating a negative attitude towards their chosen specialty.

The AMA has prepared this position statement on workplace bullying and harassment in order to:

• to provide a guide for all doctors, hospital and practice managers to identify and manage workplace bullying and harassment;
• to raise awareness and reduce the exposure of doctors to workplace bullying and harassment; and
• to assist the medical profession in combating its perpetuation.

AMA Position Statement: Personal Safety and Privacy for Doctors - 2005

AMA Position Statement: Domestic Violence - 1998