One in three medical students has been bullied, BMA survey shows

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 04 May 2005 - 12:00 PDT

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Over a third of medical students have been bullied, a survey by the British Medical Association shows today (Wednesday 4 May, 2005).

Thirty-five per cent of medical students who responded to the BMA Medical Students Committee welfare survey had experienced some form of bullying while at university or on a hospital placement.

Around one in four had been bullied by a doctor, while one in six had been bullied by a nurse. Forms of bullying ranged from racial or sexual discrimination to humiliation by teachers in front of patients. One respondent had been victimised for not having come from a medical family and another had been put under pressure to carry out a procedure without supervision.

Commenting on the survey results, Leigh Bissett, chairman of the BMA's Medical Students Committee, says "These figures are unacceptable. The idea that students learn best when they're terrified is outdated, bad for students and bad for patients. There should be no place for bullying in the NHS and it's time we adopted a policy of zero tolerance."

A fifth of respondents believed their medical schools needed to do more to address cultural issues. Problems highlighted included discrimination and lack of sensitivity to cultural needs such as fasting and prayer times.

Most did not know whether their medical school had a policy on whistle-blowing, and the majority did not think there was adequate support for whistle-blowers. Many commented that they did not know who to report problems to, or that the mechanisms for reporting problems such as sexual harassment and discrimination were ineffective. Many were not aware of the welfare services provided by their medical school, and of those who were, almost a third (29%) rated them as below average.

Jonathan Beavers, deputy chairman of the BMA's Medical Students Committee, says: "Studying medicine can be demanding and students need effective support networks. This survey shows that they often don't know where and how to seek help. There's clearly a need for medical schools to do more to increase awareness of their welfare services."

The survey also highlights the problems encountered by mature students, who often have large debts from their first degree and are balancing the demands of a medical degree with other commitments, such as looking after a family. More than a third of respondents say they are aware that mature students are affected by financial problems and can easily become socially isolated.

The full survey results are available from the press office.

1)The survey was sent to 1000 medical students across the UK. There were 260 responses, received in January and February 2005.

2) All examples cited here are anonymous

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